Around 200 people took part in a demonstration on Sunday afternoon to raise awareness of climate change and global warming. It was part of the Global Climate March, a series of worldwide protests held ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) opening in Paris on Monday.
The protest was organised by the Hong Kong chapter of environmental organisation 350.org, along with other green groups such as Greenpeace and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). They urged the government to sign the 2030 emissions reduction agreement and develop renewable resources, AM730 reported.
The demonstration was attended by Consul-General of France Eric Berti, Legislative Council (LegCo) Chairperson Jasper Tsang Yok-sing with other members of LegCo such as Claudia Mo and Lee Cheuk-yan, and former director of the Hong Kong Observatory Lam Chiu-ying. The group marched from Central Pier No. 9 to Golden Bauhinia Square Wan Chai, holding signs that said “Hong Kong under water” and “The future is renewables”.
Ringo Mak, founder of the local chapter of 350.org, said that the situation of global warming was worsening and that the temperature in Hong Kong this year had reached a record high. The group also said that they hoped that the world leaders could overcome their differences and achieve the emission reduction targets under the agreement together.
Secretary for Environment Wong Kam-sing will be taking part in the summit in Paris on Wednesday.
Worldwide, over 600,000 people in 175 countries, including London and Melbourne, took part in the protests calling for a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. In Paris, the official march was banned by the French government for security reasons, but protesters took to the streets all the same and clashed with the police. Around 200 people were arrested amid the violence, the Guardian reported.
