The Brisbane march was plagued by hot, humid weather, but those rallying to call for urgent action on climate change in the lead-up to the Paris climate talks next week seemed undeterred.
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At the same time that Prime Minister John Key and Trade Minister Tim Groser get set to present New Zealand’s targets at the climate change negotiations in Paris, the global People’s Climate Movement will be staging 2000 events around the world to give everyday people a chance to voice their climate concerns.
Thousands of people have rallied in Brisbane calling for action on climate change, echoing similar protests held across Australia and around the world.
At least 3000 marched down Auckland’s Queen Street and an estimated 7000 marched in Wellington, according to reports.
Leon Dulce, campaign coordinator for Kalikasan, said Philippine President Benigno Aquino should adopt the demand for a “comprehensive, equitable, and legally binding climate protocol” that obliges top polluter countries to drastically cut their greenhouse gas emissions.
Demonstrators carried placards with slogans including: “Protect our common home”, and “climate justice”. Activists now plan to create a two-kilometre (1.2-mile) human chain alongside the unique march route on Sunday.
The event was led by the People’s Climate March, and was attended by Bill Shorten and Greens Senator Richard Di Natale, as well as many unionists, youth groups, medical organisations and Indigenous rights organisations.
Greenpeace said the Philippines’ has a moral ascendancy to hold top carbon emitting countries accountable in the Paris Climate Conference, being one of the countries most vulnerable to global warming.
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Critics, such as law student Sarah Thomson say that carbon credits do little to contribute to a reduction in climate change, and that the Government is not setting high enough targets.
