EnviromediaNews

Millions in global call for climate action

Climbers hang a 350 banner on Table Mountain

The biggest-ever demonstration against climate change took place this weekend at thousands of sites around the world – from Table Mountain to the Himalayas, from the pyramids of Egypt to the Great Barrier Reef.

Millions of people took part in more than 5,000 events to demand that their leaders commit to reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million – the level considered safe by scientists. The current load is 387 parts per million.

The 350 day of action was timed to put pressure on climate negotiators ahead of their crucial meeting in December in Copenhagen.

There are widespread fears that the UN-sponsored conference will fail to reach an agreement to replace the existing Kyoto climate accord which expires in 2012.

Pre-conference talks between the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters have failed to narrow the gap between the developed and developing world about who should take what responsibility for reducing C02 emissions.

Saturday’s global effort demonstrated that ordinary people want their governments to take more ambitious steps to prevent unstoppable global warming.

The events, all organised independently by volunteers, included a mass dive off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a 350 formation by hundreds of people on the top of Table Mountain, the unfurling of a 350 banner on the summit of Mount Everest and 350 fun run at the pyramids of Giza.

Events were registered from 172 countries, even those plagued by poverty and military conflict like Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Somalia.

Africa generated more than 150 events, including tree plantings in Nigeria and Ghana, a climate action festival in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, a climate march to the Rwandan parliament in Kigali and the launch of a one million signature campaign in Cote D’Ivoire. South Africans have shown the most support for the 350 campaign, registering close to 50 events around the country.

Go to 350.org to see more images of the global day of action. – enviromedianews