Marches around the world for climate action
People protest for greater action against climate change during the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014 in New York City.
Activists mobilized in cities across the globe Sunday for marches against climate change, with one of the biggest held for New York, where celebrities, political leaders and tens of thousands of people were expected.
The march comes before the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon convenes a climate change summit of 120 world leaders.
New York City
Marchers make their way through the Times Square area in New York City, September 21, 2014.
New York City
Marchers come down Avenue of the Americas during the People's Climate March on September 21 2014, in New York.
New York City
People protest for greater action against climate change during the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014 in New York City.
The march, which calls for drastic political and economic changes to slow global warming, has been organized by a coalition of unions, activists, politicians and scientists.
New York City
Marchers come down Avenue of the Americas during the People's Climate March on September 21 2014, in New York.
The New York march drew participants from across the U.S., as well as hundreds of New Yorkers who had been seriously affected by Superstorm Sandy two years ago. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said that climate change makes storms and storm surges more dangerous.
Myrtle E. Williams, a nurse at a nursing home in the Rockaways, told the Associated Press that Sandy was a "real eye-opener." The storm nearly two years ago "made people wake up and say this is real devastating."
New York City
A women sports a message against drilling for tar sands oil during the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014 in New York City.
New York City
From left: Primatologist Jane Goodall, former Vice President and environmental activist Al Gore, New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon participate in the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014 in New York City.
"This is the planet where our subsequent generations will live," Secretary-General Ban told reporters. "There is no 'Plan B,' because we do not have 'Planet B."
New York City
Marchers participate in the People's Climate March in New York City on September 21, 2014.
New York City
Marchers come down Avenue of the Americas during the People's Climate March on September 21 2014, in New York.
New York City
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (center) walks down Avenue of the Americas during the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014, in New York.
New York City
People protest for greater action against climate change during the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014 in New York City.
New York City
The musician Sting walks down Avenue of the Americas during the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014, in New York.
New York City
Protesters demonstrate on Central Park West during the People's Climate March in New York City, Sept. 21, 2014.
New York City
People protest for greater action against climate change during the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014 in New York City. The march, which calls for drastic political and economic changes to slow global warming, has been organized by a coalition of unions, activists, politicians and scientists.
New York City
A demonstrator takes part in the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014, in New York City.
New York City
Bird-shaped kites are held in the air as demonstrators make their way down Sixth Avenue during the People's Climate March, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in New York. The march, along with similar gatherings scheduled in other cities worldwide, comes two days before the United Nations Climate Summit, where more than 120 world leaders will convene for a meeting aimed at galvanizing political will for a new global climate treaty by the end of 2015.
Rio de Janeiro
A man holds a flag with a green heart during the Peoples Climate March along Ipanema Beach on September 21, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Amazon rainforest, mostly located in Brazil, produces about 20 percent of the Earth's oxygen, but is threatened by deforestation.
Rio de Janeiro
Participants brave inclement weather to take part in the climate march along Ipanema beach on September 21, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Organizer Michael Freitas Mohallem told Reuters, "We want an energy matrix 100 percent clean. This is not a difficult request, it's not science fiction, it's not something futuristic, it's something for now. Countries like Uruguay have already implemented an energy matrix 100 percent clean, and Norway is very close to this. Countries highly-developed industrially, such as Germany, are in the neighborhood of 30 percent, getting close to 50 percent. Therefore, this is a reasonable request for something that is absolutely important and necessary. ... To avoid climate changes we need to reduce carbon emissions."
Paris
Climate protesters hold a banner reading "I am the change," during a demonstration to fight climate change, on the Place de la République in Paris, September 21, 2014.
Bordeaux
A child holds a banner reading "Mummy, can I go play outside?" on September 21, 2014 in Bordeaux, France, during a demonstration to fight climate change.
London
Participants chanted for clean energy through the streets of London Sunday.
Actress Emma Thompson, who was one of tens of thousands marching, told the AP: "This is important for every single person on the planet, which is why it has to be the greatest grassroots movement of all time. This is the battle of our lives. We're fighting for our children."
Cairns
A climate protester holds up a placard at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Cairns, Australia, September 21, 2014.
In Australia a major target for protesters is Prime Minister Tony Abbott, whose government coalition has abandoned a carbon tax aimed at reducing emissions.
New Delhi
Indian schoolchildren take part in the People's Climate March ahead of the U.N. Climate Summit, to demand progress in the faltering talks, in New Delhi, India, on September 20, 2014.
Bogota
People march during a demonstration to demand urgent action to stem climate change, on September 21, 2014 in Bogota, Colombia.
Rio de Janeiro
A man waves a flag with a green heart during the climate march along Ipanema beach on September 21, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Protests calling for curbs in greenhouse gas emissions were scheduled for today in 150 countries ahead a U.N. summit on climate change. The Amazon rainforest, mostly located in Brazil, produces about 20 percent of the earth's oxygen but is threatened by deforestation.