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Taking to the streets in Copenhagen

Submitted by Caroline Lee

copenhagen-crowd-091212.jpg

Today, I joined 100,000 other citizens of the global community to demonstrate in the streets of Copenhagen, calling on world leaders to take bolder action on climate change. An ocean of people stretching farther than anyone could see waved messages such as "Bla bla bla...ACT NOW" and "There is no Planet B."

There was something powerful being in the midst of this commanding yet peaceful movement, which sent a loud and clear message to leaders that lack of progress on the climate change issue is unacceptable. It was a refreshing break, situated halfway in the middle of negotiations full of formalities, jargon and business suits.

People are rising up to call on our governments to do more. David Miller, mayor of Toronto, marched alongside us today. Back home, mayors, premiers, industry representatives, academics, indigenous peoples and youth are all sending a unified message of stronger action on climate change.

It was truly empowering to engage in today's massive calling-out to leaders. And we are not alone -- demonstrators around the world today are holding candlelight vigils to stand in solidarity with developing countries, which face the worst effects of climate change.

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