Australian marchers lead world climate protests

Climate action activists gather on the Sydney Town Hall steps for a silent "Vigil of Hope" on December 11. The gatherings being held worldwide on December 11 and 12 are demanding a fair, ambitious and binding climate agreement from the Copenhagen climate talks.(AFP/Greg Wood)

SYDNEY (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people marched across Australia on Saturday as part of a global protest demanding tough action from world leaders on climate change.

Organisers said as many as 50,000 people had taken to the streets nationwide, wearing sky-blue shoelaces in a call for a strong and binding agreement at UN talks in Copenhagen.

"They're all out here, walking against warming ... to coincide with of course, the Copenhagen Climate change conference," spokesman James Dannenberg told state radio.

"We want (world leaders) to bring home a treaty, we want them to stand by the Pacific and our neighbours there. And we want them to deliver and ensure a safe climate future for us all."

Thousands of activists gathered on the lawns in front of Australia's parliament house in Canberra, while 10,000-strong crowds marched through Sydney, Melbourne and other major cities.

It was Australia's fifth annual "Walk Against Warming" demonstration, and organisers said their message had never been more critical.

"It's vital that in the coming week our world leaders make a commitment on climate change," said Tricia Phelan, one of the Melbourne protest organisers.

Worldwide protests are planned from Kabul to the Arctic Circle, with Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu and former Irish President Mary Robinson to preside over a special vigil in Copenhagen.

As many as 80,000 activists from across the globe are expected to gather in the Danish capital for a six-kilometre (four-mile) march from the Christiansborg Castle to the conference centre.

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