Protesters rally against big polluters, global warming

MONTREAL: The Arctic Inuit who are losing their ice caps and activists demanding urgent action on global warming were among thousands taking to the streets in cities around the world yesterday to raise awareness of climate change. The demonstrations coincided with the 10-day UN Climate Change Conference under way in Montreal to review and update the Kyoto Protocol, the global accord that binds the top 35 industrialised nations to lower greenhouse gas emissions. A march in downtown Montreal was to be the largest of the demonstrations expected in 32 countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Bangladesh, Brazil, Australia and South Africa. In London, protesters passed Downing Street, home of Prime Minister Tony Blair, where they handed in a letter demanding that the government reaffirm its commitment to Kyoto with legally binding targets on emissions reductions.

In Washington, drivers of hybrid cars planned to rally around the White House. In New Orleans, residents intend to hold a “Save New Orleans, Stop Global Warming” party in the French Quarter. Other US events were being held from Boston to Los Angeles. In Montreal, activists promised a family friendly atmosphere with hot air balloons, theatrical and music acts as they hit the streets in numbers they hope will top 15,000. “We’re worried about climate change, about ways of life in the Canadian Arctic disappearing,” said Sarah Binder of Montreal’s Urban Ecology Center. Five environmental groups, including Greenpeace and the Climate Crisis Coalition, delivered a petition signed by 600,000 Americans to the US Consulate in Montreal urging the Bush administration and the US Congress to help slow global warming.

About 100 protesters gathered outside in freezing temperatures to listen to speeches.  “We are here representing the people of the United States who want action to be taken,” said Ted Glick of the Climate Crises Coalition, who accused the US delegation of trying to obstruct progress at the conference. US President George W. Bush has been widely criticised for pulling out of the Kyoto Treaty, instead calling for an 18 percent reduction in the US growth rate of greenhouse gases by 2012 and committing US$5 billion a year to  global warming science and technology. The United States — which spews out nearly 25 percent of the world’s carbon emissions — was the target of demonstrations.

“If he (Bush) thinks (Hurricane) Katrina was bad, there are a lot worse hurricanes on their way if he doesn’t change his policy,” Britain’s former Environment Minister Michael Meacher told demonstrators outside the US embassy in London. Organisers said 10,000 people participated in the march from Lincoln’s Inn in central London to the US Embassy. Police said about 4,300 took part. Chanting and blowing whistles, the marchers denounced Blair and Bush for their perceived environmental failings. Some held banners depicting Bush as “Wanted — for crimes against the planet” and advising “Ditch Blair, not Kyoto.”

Health experts at the UN conference said Friday that global warming is responsible for as many as 150,000 deaths annually around the world. Canadian Inuit of the isolated Arctic north have travelled to Montreal to join the protest. Indian leader Jose Kusugak told The Associated Press that he brought along hunters, trappers and elders to reassure them that people from the south were not indifferent to their plight.  “It was important to show there are a lot of people in the world who care,” he said.