Climate Change Protests on Wall Street and around the World

History was made today. Today over 300,000 people marched on Wall Street today for the sole purpose of showing what people’s opinions were about the current state of affairs of climate change policy efforts on global, national, and even localized levels. This was the largest of protests in over 150 countries which calls for drastic economic and political changes to help slow the progress of global warming. Protesters crowded the streets starting early in the morning and made the march down to lower Manhattan making their voice well heard.   They had wide variances in issues and stances on the topic, though the main consensus was that it was an important issue that requires immediate and substantial action. Many say that it is the “most important issue for every single person on this planet.” There is a large outcry that corporate interest and first world economic development has been taken a stranglehold on climate change implementation of policy.

The organizers of the march included UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, former Vice President Al Gore, and various scientists, elected officials, and even famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The rally itself was the single largest ever regarding the topic and police say the ill-prepared for the turnout, stating that they only expected around 200,000. No arrests were reported though and many call the event a great success. There was some outcry against the event, though it was mostly out-shadowed by the sure numbers of the supporters.

This being a kickoff to Climate Week which is a week-long occasion all based in New York City filled with meeting, info sessions, and . Some of these events are free to the public as long as you register online. (Links below)

All of these gatherings is leading up to the 2014 UN Climate Summit that will be bringing together all of the world’s leaders to the Big Apple. They will be discussing what has been done, needs to be done, and what will be done regarding global warming. Here some facts below to help show why actions need to be made imminently.

-NOAA has reported that August 2014 was the warmest month on record globally. (Records only date back to 1880)

-The Earth is losing over a trillion tons of sea ice every year, this rate has been accelerating rapidly within the past 10 years and is expected to continue

-Sea Level Rise is becoming more and more of a considerable threat, globally they have risen 8 inches since 1880. Scientists now say that this rate of change is accelerating. Rise of 2-6 feet could be expected by 2100. This puts hundreds of millions of people for issues like floods, damage from storm surge, and salinization of their drinking water. 

Here are some photos from the rallies around the world. 

People begin to gather in NYC for the climate change rally

A view of the sure mass of numbers walking down 6th Avenue

Over 40,000 protesters gathered on the streets of London to voice their discontent 

People in Melbourne pose in formation to spell out "BEYOND COAL + GAS" 

Protests chant loudly and march in Rio de Janeiro 

For more information on Climate Week,  http://www.climateweeknyc.org/

The list and date of events: http://www.climateweeknyc.org/events/

For more information on the UN Climate Summit: http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/

For more information on how you can make a difference: 

http://www.epa.gov/climatestudents/solutions/actions/more.html

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/car/WCM/Maine-Ly%20Weather/Winter0304/GlobalWarming.htm

-Also write to your local House representative, Senator, or Governor (or even President Obama) if you feel as though they can improve, change or even support the way that they have dealt with climate change. Your voice really does matter.