Climate Change Rally in Hyde Park

December 5th has seen UK’s biggest demonstration on climate change so far with greater commitment than ever before from a wide range of NGOs.

Brought by “The Waves”, this rally calls for the Government to take much more emergency actions on climate change. The campaign mainly demands declaration of climate emergency, 10% cuts by end 2010, a million green jobs by end 2010, ban domestic flights, 55 mph speed limit and ending of agro fuel use.

The campaign contains speeches made by MPs and other union officers, musical interludes brought by Seize the Day and the Climate Emergency Bike Ride. More than 50,000 people from all over the country joined the march, making it the biggest one ever before.

Speakers include Michael Meacher MP, Simon Hughes MP, John McDonnell MP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Maria Souverin, John Stewart, Chris Baugh and Ellie Hopkins from the UK Youth Climate Coalition.

“I join the rally after I watch a video about climate change.” Volunteer worker Alison Cancaster says, “Our planet is in danger. We should do something before it is too late.”
Green Party politician Cllr Andrew Boswell also joins in the rally.

“People always think environmental protection is such a big issue and they can do nothing.” He says, “But actually some small thing such as stop wasting is saving our planet. Catching people’s attention is very important and I think this rally will do it well.”

The rally also aims to push the government taking some actions in the most important international meeting in history—the annual United Nations Climate talks in Copenhagen from December 7 to 8.

"We need to put climate change right at the top of the political agenda — it is by far the biggest threat to humanity.” George Monbiot, honorary president of the Campaign against Climate Change, says, “We have to turn this into the primary political campaign. That means keeping on the streets, keeping up the demonstrations and putting an enormous amount of pressure on our politicians."