Organisers claim as many as 100,000 protesters marched under grey skies as world leaders gather to discuss climate change at UN General Assembly
Celebrities and politicians have joined tens
of thousands of protesters on the streets of New York for what is being
billed as one of the world’s largest climate change marches.
Leonardo DiCaprio, who last week was named as the United Nations
Messenger of Peace on Climate Change, took part alongside fellow actors
Mark Ruffalo, Ed Norton and Evangeline Lilly and the singer Sting.
From the world of politics, Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, Al
Gore, the former vice president turned climate change protester, and New
York Mayor Bill di Blasio gathered with what organisers said were as
many as 100,000 fellow protesters under grey skies in Central Park.
A minute’s silence was held followed by a “moment
of alarm” when marchers were encouraged to shout, blow whistles and make
as much noise as possible to draw attention to the problems of climate
change.
Organisers estimated that 310,000 people were on the march, with similar events held in 166 countries around the world.
Ricken Patel, executive director of activist group Avaaz, which organized the march, said: "The march numbers are beating our wildest expectations.
"In 2,500 marches from Paris to Bogota, we've blown past expected numbers. Climate change is not a green issue anymore, it's an everybody issue."
The protest came as world leaders gather to discuss climate change at the UN General Assembly.
Titanic star DiCaprio himself will address the body during a climate change debate at UN headquarters on Tuesday, the first time the issue will be discussed in detail since the failed 2009 Copenhagen talks. More than 120 world leaders will take part in the talks, which coincide with New York’s annual climate week.
Around 40,000 people including Emma Thompson, the actress, designer Dame Vivienne Westwood and musician Peter Gabriel took part in a similar march in London while a climate change protest in Melbourne, Australia attracted a crowd of 10,000.
Organisers estimated that 310,000 people were on the march, with similar events held in 166 countries around the world.
Ricken Patel, executive director of activist group Avaaz, which organized the march, said: "The march numbers are beating our wildest expectations.
"In 2,500 marches from Paris to Bogota, we've blown past expected numbers. Climate change is not a green issue anymore, it's an everybody issue."
Titanic star DiCaprio himself will address the body during a climate change debate at UN headquarters on Tuesday, the first time the issue will be discussed in detail since the failed 2009 Copenhagen talks. More than 120 world leaders will take part in the talks, which coincide with New York’s annual climate week.
Around 40,000 people including Emma Thompson, the actress, designer Dame Vivienne Westwood and musician Peter Gabriel took part in a similar march in London while a climate change protest in Melbourne, Australia attracted a crowd of 10,000.
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