Thousands of environmentalists are protesting across the world this week, trying to create more awareness around climate change. In Australia, one group called "Extinction Rebellion" are using a strategy of "peaceful disruption" to bring the issue to the forefront.

"We are ordinary people spurred to take extraordinary action because of the depth of this crisis and the fundamental cornerstone of a democracy is the right to protest," said Elly Baxter, the spokesperson of Extinction Rebellion Sydney.

About 30 people were arrested in Sydney on Monday during a rally that shut down several streets in the city's business district.

"When we listen to the scientists we need massive disruption, we need disruption of our transport system, we need disruption of our housing system, we need disruption of our economy to move it into a carbon neutral phase," said one protester.

Earlier in Sydney, a more subdued event where hundreds of people lined the edge of the Botanical Gardens, others sailed boats - to highlight what they say is the impact that a warming planet is having on the world's oceans.

"The latest IPCC report predicts that this area will be under water by the end of the century," said a protester.

Such events were held across Australia, including in Melbourne where protesters demanded action on climate change in front of an energy company's headquarters. Extinction Rebellion has launched a global campaign in 60 countries, to highlight the need for action.

In New Zealand, protesters stormed a bank to demand that it stop investing in fossil fuels. The group is hoping to capitalize on the increased attention that climate change is receiving these days, thanks in part to the work of Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg.