Thousands Of Australians Flock To Rally For Climate Change Action

Thousands of Australians with compassion and drive to speak out about climate change gathered across Australia today in impressive rallies held in capital cities and regional areas around the nation. 

Coinciding with today being the National Day of Climate Action, and following up recent nervous collar-pulling about the poor press received from Australia choosing not to send the Environment Minister to the international climate change conference in Warsaw that began last week, the rallying today aimed to raise awareness about the threat of climate change, and its implications on our future.

According to the ABC, 30,000 protesters turned out in Melbourne; 10,000 in Sydney (though the comparatively lesser number in Sydney should perhaps be forgiven, due to the heavy rain and the undeniable seduction of bad weather enticing one to stay indoors), with a reported 60,000 protesters rallying in Australia today in total. 

Organised partly by GetUp, The Youth Climate Coalition and The Conservation Foundation, the day ultimately called for change in the government’s current policies on climate change. Summing up what thousands were fighting for today, The Conservation Foundation’s Tony Mohr told the ABC, ““Politicians should listen to people around the country today – don’t repeal the laws that we’ve got, and actually increase them, make them stronger, make them reduce pollution further.”

Naturally instagram-worthy placards and impressive crowd shots ensued. Some of the highlights of today’s rallies can be seen below.

A succinct argument:

Any votes for the placard or banner of the day? #climateaction pic.twitter.com/7lrsII4ImZ

— GetUp! (@GetUp) November 17, 2013

Wow. Much climate. Very worry.