Montreal the focus of global warming protests

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Montreal the focus of global warming protests
Dec. 3, 2005. 08:29 PM

MONTREAL (CP-AP) — Tens of thousands of people ignored frigid temperatures Saturday to lead a worldwide day of protest against global warming.

The head of the national Green Party, Jim Harris, called on the federal government to invest in sustainable development, including in Canada's large auto industry. Gareau also estimated the crowd at 40,000 people.Bundled-up protesters converged on a downtown square after marching from two separate starting points to listen to speakers and musicians in a rock concert atmosphere.

The demonstration coincided with the 10-day UN Climate Change Conference underway in Montreal, where officials are reviewing and updating the Kyoto protocol on lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

"This is protest is important because time is running out to deal with climate change," said Steven Guilbeault, the director of the Greenpeace movement for Quebec.......

Thousands of people, some banging drums or dressed as polar bears, have marched in Montreal to urge leaders at a UN climate conference to do more to curb global warming.

"Time is running out," banners proclaimed in a carnival-like rally in freezing temperatures through central Montreal, where many protesters accused the United States of blocking progress on climate change and threatening the world's future.

"We will move the world ahead. We will not wait for (US President) George W Bush," Elizabeth May of the Sierra Club environmental group told the crowd, estimated about 6000 people.

"Together we can save the climate. Together we will stop fossil fuels from destroying our future," she said outside the Montreal conference centre, where 189 nations are meeting this week to find ways to halt climate change.


http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/thousands-join-climate-change-protest/2005/12/04/1133631134977.html