Activists mark the start of Climate Week in New York with a protest calling on the US government to take action on climate change and reject the use of fossil fuels in New York, New York, USA, September 17, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Muñoz
Thousands of protesters kicked off “Climate Week” and filled the streets of Midtown Manhattan on September 17 ahead of the United Nations General Assembly this week, calling on President Joe Biden and world leaders to end to the use of fossil fuels.
With parades, concerts and beating drums, some of the expected 15,000 held signs reading “End the use of fossil fuels,” “Fossil fuels kill” and “Declare a climate emergency.”
A man was dressed as a melting snowman, warning of rising sea levels. The message was that world leaders must save the planet from the use of oil and gas, believed to be causing origin of global warming.
Sunday’s protests were part of a weeklong international effort led by Climate Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting action on climate change and stopping global warming, with more than 500 protests planned in the United States, Germany, England, South Korea, India and elsewhere, totaling 54 countries.
READ: Global ocean surface temperature hits new record
Protest organizers expect a global turnout of more than a million people.
“New York Climate Week aims to make this happen,” organizers wrote online. “By celebrating climate action, challenging us to do more, and exploring ways to increase our ambitions, Climate Week NYC inspires, amplifies, and examines the commitments, policies, and actions of those who have the power to bring about change. »
Many scientists believe that greenhouse gases caused by burning fossil fuels are warming the world and causing extreme weather events such as more intense hurricanes, heat waves, floods, wildfires and droughts.
READ: It will be 1.5°C warmer by 2027, scientists warn
Reducing CO2 or carbon dioxide emissions is considered a key element in mitigating climate change.
The protests come two months before this year’s COP28 UN climate summit, where more than 80 countries plan to push for a global deal to phase out coal, oil and gas.
READ: Climate activists demand concrete action as COP28 approaches
A recent UN report warned that the world was on a dangerous path towards severe global warming and said additional measures were needed on all fronts, including a drastic drop in coal-fired energy consumption by 2030, Reuters reported.
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