Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore and Emelda Davis (ASSIPJ) are amongst supporters and friends leading Sydney’s Climate Change march.
Article: Cairns Post – Huge crowds march in Sydney climate rally. (images)
THOUSANDS of protesters have marched through Sydney CBD to the Opera House to rally for action on climate change ahead of the United Nations climate summit in Paris.
THE giant costumed figures of Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott greeted scientists, activists, families, elderly and youth that gathered at the Domain on Sunday to urge leaders to shift more rapidly to renewable energy and cut carbon emissions worldwide.
People have waved placards to the sound of drums while others have broken into dance and worn costumes of marine life that would be affected by increasing global temperatures.
“Minds change or climate change” read one placard, while another said “there is no Planet B”.
Climate Council’s Professor Tim Flannery addressed the crowd before they marched, saying a successful outcome at the UN summit was vital.
“Do your utmost to see success at Paris, we won’t accept anything less,” he said to the cheers of the crowd, which he described as “the biggest climate march” in Australia’s history.
The rally observed a minute’s silence to acknowledge those most affected by climate change, especially Australia’s neighbours in the Pacific.
Earlier, deputy federal Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek said the government had to take action now before the cost of reducing emissions increased. “The sooner we start making cuts to our carbon pollution, the cheaper it’ll be to get there,” she told reporters in Sydney just before the rally. “Climate change is not a distant future threat for our Pacific neighbours, it is happening right now.”
Protester Fiona Ng, who wore a jellyfish costume, said she had joined the march because Western countries had an obligation to help poorer nations tackle the problems caused by climate change. “People are losing their heritage, land and culture,” the 34-year-old told AAP. “There’s really a lot of injustice.”
The “climate injustice” was also the reason for Marist religious brother Justin Golding’s attendance along with students from Marist high schools. “I’m here looking for a change in the heart of people,” he told AAP.
“I work with young people who are passionate about climate justice … as a community we need to take action on a personal level, in our homes.”
Sydney march organiser Reece Proudfoot said those taking part in the Australian marches walked in solidarity with millions of people across the world as part of a global campaign.
Mr Proudfoot welcomed Labor’s pledge on Friday to cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030, which is well above the coalition pledge of between 26 and 28 per cent.
More than 40,000 people marched in Melbourne’s central business district on Friday to kick off the weekend of climate marches, with dozens of events also taking place in regional towns across the country.