This weekend’s People’s Climate Change march in Bournemouth was hailed a success by its organisers as nearly 400 people of all ages and backgrounds turned out to raise awareness and draw attention to the issues being discussed at the UN Climate Change which began on Tuesday in New York.
Clear blue skies greeted the Bournemouth marchers that represented young to old and families to climate groups with musicians to keep the atmosphere as well. As they moved their way through the gardens and onto the beach images were taken by parade organisers -activism collective AVAAZ – to be beamed with worldwide footage into New Yorks’ Times Square.
As world leaders prepared to gather to talk about what their countries are doing to tackle climate change and to come up with a progressive, ongoing strategy hundreds of worldwide marches were being organised to show them that their citizens care about moving towards a ‘100 % Clean Energy’ solution, with many also delivering petitions and providing footage of their own .
AVAAZ had 15 minutes at the UN summit to present their petitions and ended up with over 2.5 million online signatures, 1450 of those being with a 1.5 mile radius of Bournemouth.
Among local environmental groups in attendance were the South East Dorset Green Party, their secretary, Helen Woodall praised the march saying, “of course we are very happy that it is here to raise awareness of this issue and it is important for people to know that this still ongoing.”
Speaking about the march and petition, AVAAZ Facilitator in Bournemouth Micheal French said, “It was just amazing that so many people turned up. Climate change affects us all and if we don’t believe that inspiration and hope and every little step you take makes a difference then we are not doing our best to look after this wonderful creation that we have been given.”
Molly Heinrich