Worldwide climate protests as UN talks stumble

World
Europe

Tens of thousands of people across the globe took to the streets Saturday to demand that governments step up action on global warming, even as United Nations climate talks tasked with breathing life into the Paris Agreement faltered.

Nearly 1,000 events in more than 90 countries delivered a two-pronged message: speed up the shift to a world powered by renewable energy rather than planet-warming gas, oil and coal; and protect the people most vulnerable to rising seas and climate-enhanced extreme weather.

The United States

Singing nuns at Civic Center Plaza after marching in the 'Rise For Climate' global action in downtown San Francisco, California, September 8, 2018./VCG Photo

The rolling, 24-hour protest peaked in San Francisco, where thousands snaked through the city chanting and carrying handmade signs and banners.

Many slogans were barbs from the heart of Blue America pointed at Washington.

"Defend democracy: impeach Putin's poodle," read a third, taking aim squarely at US President Donald Trump, who opted out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate treaty and has moved aggressively to dismantle the climate policies of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

California -- by some estimates the fifth largest economy in the world -- has committed ambitious goals for slashing carbon dioxide emissions over the next three decades.

On June 2017, Trump announced that the US would stop all participation in the 2015 Paris Agreement, saying that "The Paris accord will undermine (the US) economy," and "puts (the US) at a permanent disadvantage, the withdrawal would be in accordance with his America First policy."

But according to the Article 28 of the Paris Agreement, the earliest possible effective withdrawal date by the United States cannot be before November 4, 2020, which means that the US still has to be obligated to maintain its commitments under the Agreement for quite a while.

France

People gathered in several cities of France responding to a citizen call to make climate issues a priority of the government, September 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

In France, up to 115,000 people turned out in what may be the country's largest environmental demonstration.

Clemence Dubois, the France campaigner for 350.org, an umbrella organization for climate activists worldwide called the march "proof that citizens are ready to demand commitments from our elected officials."

A "catastrophic summer" of heatwaves and wildfires across the northern hemisphere made many people realize that climate change is already upon us, she added.

Australia

The tall ship Southern Swan sails in Sydney Harbour in front of the Opera House with environmentalists on board on September 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

Under the movement "Rise for Climate", a tall ship moved through Sydney Harbour in front of the Opera House as activists on board held up protest signs.

Blair Palese, CEO of 350 Australia, said that the country -- heavily reliant on coal mining for its economy -- has long suffered the effects of climate change.

"We are fighting bushfires in winter, suffering a crippling drought, and scientists fear back-to-back bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef this summer," he said.

Thailand

An environmental activist wearing a face-mask depicting US President Donald Trump took part in a demonstration in front of the United Nations building, in Bangkok on September 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

In the Thai capital, some 200 protesters assembled in front of the UN regional headquarters, where delegates were discussing how to implement measures agreed by world powers under the 2015 Paris Accord on climate change.

The talks aim to create a draft legal framework for limiting global temperature rises that can be presented to ministers and heads of state at a final round of discussions in Poland in December.

The delegates have been meeting since Tuesday, but have made little progress, according to multiple sources close to the negotiations.

Dozens of laborers and fishermen from the Gulf of Thailand, whose livelihoods are threatened by rising sea levels and coastal erosion caused by climate change, joined Saturday's protest.

The Philippines

Crowds march up Market Street during the "Rise For Climate" global action in downtown San Francisco, California, September 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

In Manila, more than 800 people, including one dressed as a T-Rex holding a "Go Fossil Free" sign, marched through the streets protesting the country's heavy reliance on coal.

Along with Bangkok, the Philippine capital is projected to be among the world's hardest hit urban areas by climate change impacts.

Timeline of the climate talks in 2018

CGTN Photo

Even though several talks has been held in 2018, progress has barely been made.

In May, more than 3,000 diplomats and observers gathered in Bonn, Germany, to discus how to bring the Paris Agreement on climate change to life at the Bonn Climate Change Conference.

Talks were around whether there should be two sets of guidance for developed and developing nations, or universal rules with allowances for differentiation.

But after little progress, decision-makers laid their hope on the next round of talks to be held in September in Bangkok.

Today, it turned out the outcome from Bangkok stirred more protests against the Trump administration's attitude.

Source(s): AFP