Thousands hit Glasgow streets as part of global climate protests

Delegates from nearly 200 countries are in Glasgow to hammer out how to meet the Paris Agreement goals of limiting temperature rises to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius.

Demonstrators began gathering on Saturday morning, chanting: "Our world is under attack, stand up fight back!"
Reuters

Demonstrators began gathering on Saturday morning, chanting: "Our world is under attack, stand up fight back!"

Thousands of climate protesters have braved rain and wind in Glasgow to take part in worldwide demonstrations against what campaigners say is a failure of crunch UN talks to act fast enough to tame global warming.

Organisers and police said on Saturday they ultimately expected up to 50,000 people to parade through the streets of the Scottish city.

Demonstrators began gathering on Saturday morning in a park near the COP26 summit venue, chanting: "Our world is under attack, stand up fight back!" 

"I think a lot of politicians are scared of the power of this movement," said a 22-year-old Norwegian protester who gave her name as Jenny.

Delegates from nearly 200 countries are in Glasgow to hammer out how to meet the Paris Agreement goals of limiting temperature rises to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius.

At the halfway stage of the COP26 negotiations, some countries have upgraded their existing pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while there have been sep arate deals on phasing out coal, ending foreign fossil fuel funding, and slashing methane.

READ MORE: COP26: Everything you need to know after week one

High security

Security has been boosted in Glasgow and many city-centre shops closed for Saturday's march, which had a party atmosphere replete with dance troupes, drummers, bagpipers and a singing Darth Vader.

"Thousands of us are marching right across the world today to demand immediate and serious action," said Scottish activist Mikaela Loach.

"We're clear that warm words are not good enough -- and that the next week of talks must see a serious ramping up of concrete plans."

COP26 negotiations will continue on Saturday before pausing on Sunday ahead of what is shaping up to be a frantic week of shuttle diplomacy, as ministers arrive to push through hard-fought compromises.

Global demos

A pre-COP26 estimate from the UN said national climate plans, when brought together, could put Earth on course to warm 2.7C this century.

With just 1.1C of warming so far, communities across the world are already facing ever more intense fire and drought, displacement and economic ruin wrought by global heating.

And a major assessment last week showed global CO2 emissions were set to rebound in 2021 to pre-pandemic levels.

Dozens of events are planned worldwide to demand cuts in fossil fuel use and immediate help for communities already affected by climate change, particularly in poorer countries.

READ MORE: Ten ‘super polluter’ publishers behind 70 percent of climate denial

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