Global climate marches: Powerful, Inspiring and creating a sense of hope.

The London Climate March, Source: own photo.

I have just got back from the Climate March in London on the Eve of COP21 and what an experience. According to organisers a record-breaking 50,000 people attended in London, almost double last years London Climate March. 

I attended the march (my first) and found the experience powerful and inspiring.  Somewhat surprisingly it also filled me with a sense of hope. With 50,000 people marching alongside you calling for change it gave me a sense that climate is moving up our agendas and an agreement may be realised in Paris. As I have seen described elsewhere, it gave me that goose bump feeling. I met the march half way through at Trafalgar square and watched people go by for over fifteen minutes but there was still no impression that it would ever end. From then we walked as part of the crowds down Whitehall to Parliament square with people of all ages and from all over the world - surely a sign of solidarity on the streets of London. World leaders are you listening? The march was completely peaceful, respectful and friendly and very well organised. A massive thank you should go out to the organisers, volunteers and police.

The London Climate March, Source: own Photo.

Climate Marches began hours before in Australia moving east to west with 45,000 marchers in Sydney, 3,000 in the Philippines, 5,000 in Bangladesh, 20,000 in Madrid and Rome to name a few and the Americas still to come. In Paris, where protests were banned following the Paris attacks thousands of pairs of shoes have been left in the Place de la Republique as an instillation, including a pair of the Popes! A peaceful human chain was also created with 10,000 people holding hands in a human line over 3km stretching the originally proposed march route in Paris.

Source: David Shukman, Twitter.

Source: Jamie Henn, Twitter.

However, it appears as ever that a few make it their priority to undermine the peaceful climate marches of hundreds of thousands. Reports on the Guardian Live page claim that the day of peaceful, respectful and highly moving protests in Paris disintegrated into a stand off between groups of anarchist protesters and riot police, with police using tear gas to clear the area. Incredibly sad making is that according to another reporter many of the flowers and candles left in tribute to the 130 people who died in the attacks have been trampled on and destroyed. How disrespectful and distant from what the climate marches are about. No wonder 350.org the global march organiser has distanced itself from the violent protests. I cannot also help but feel that there is also a focus on the negative minority rather than the positive, peaceful and hopeful majority.

One of my favorite stories emerging from Paris is the 'Brandalism' campaign with more than 600 artworks critiquing corporate sponsors of the UN summit installed in advertising spaces across Paris, including some politicians too! - click here to see more. 

For a great gallery of the climate marches across the globe click here. Closer to home even the BT tower is getting involved!! Next couple of Blogs are on the INDCs and a final pre-summit synopsis.

Source: BT Better Future, Twitter.