Global protests ‘rise for climate’

September 13, 2018
Issue 
The largest rally was in San Francisco, where 30,000 people marched behind a banner that read "Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice". Photo: Brooke Anderson

Hundreds of thousands of people joined protests around the world on September 8 calling on governments to take serious action on climate change. 

People are already feeling the effects of climate change, from the Pacific Islands that are rapidly sinking to the devastating floods in the sub continent that have displacing millions to the wildfires in the United States and Canada.

In response people are standing up and demanding action.

The protests, called by 350.org under the slogan "Rise For Climate", were organised by local climate action groups in more than 900 locations across 90 countries and seven continents.

The message was clear: if politicians won't turn away from fossil fuels, the people will force them to.

The largest rally was organised in San Francisco, where 30,000 people marched through the city behind a banner that read "Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice". They also painted a huge street mural calling for climate action in the lead up to a global climate change summit set to be held in that city later this year.

The protests in Australia came days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison ruled out putting the Paris Agreement emission target commitments into law.

Rallies in cities and regional areas focused on stopping Adani’s Carmichael coalmine and breaking the power the coal industry has over political parties.

Students also protested on university campuses the day before, calling on uni administrations to divest from fossil fuels.

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