Climate change protesters hit streets

AAP - The tens of thousands who gathered in cities and regional areas across Australia for Saturday's walk against warming demonstrates people are still concerned over the climate crisis, say organisers.
Despite grey skies in Sydney's CBD, about 15,000 showed up in Martin Place Saturday for the fourth annual Walk Against Warming march.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW's Cate Faehrmann said that while numbers were
slightly down from last year, she was extremely happy with the turnout.
"The year after Kevin Rudd was elected (prime minister), we were wondering if people
would turn out in force," she said.
"This demonstrates people are still concerned about this issue.
"They get that the government is acting too slow."
A colourful crowd showed up in Sydney's Martin Place.
Some were dressed as polar bears. Others wore windmills on their backs.
Others carried placards of penguins with messages that read: "Don't build your home
on my home," and "Some like it hot, penguins not".
Before the walk, Ms Faehrmann told the crowd at Martin Place that the government
needed to reduce greenhouse pollution "to the levels that science is telling us is
necessary for a safe climate, not just to the level the fossil fuels industry can
live with".
"How hard is it to stop logging our native forests and protect them in perpetuity to
the vital role they play in stabilising our climate?" she asked.
"How hard is it to build a fast and efficient rail service at the same time as you
are planning new suburbs?"
Fellow speaker, 17-year-old schoolgirl, Sasha Hunt, said urgent action was needed.
"Looming on the horizon is the destruction of my future," she said.
"I know we still have the ability to change the world for the better.
"To not act now would be a disaster."
Ian Smallman, who brought his 11-year-old daughter Ciara to the march, said: "I
think it's the most important issue in the world right now."
He said he thought it unfortunate people were more focused on the global financial
crisis, which he described as a short-term problem, compared to the long-term
problem of climate change.
John Mobbs, 73, said the world was on a unsustainable path in many areas, including
population, pollution of the ocean, and general food production.
"This is a chance to walk with people with similar views," he said.
He added he wasn't sure if the government would take the walk seriously.
"The government has proven many times it hasn't taken much notice of people walking
in the streets, but I remain optimistic."
After the speeches, the crowd marched to Hyde Park where they were treated to
entertainment.
In NSW, walks took place in towns including Bowral, Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie and
Yass.
Walks were also organised in all Australian capital cities Saturday, except
Canberra, which is due to host a similar event on December 6.