The mammoth diversity of people that comprise the People's Climate March in Manhattan, New York on Sunday afternoon was estimated at 400,000, excluding the numbers that participated in Paris, France and Papua, New Guinea.
Scientists, typhoon victims, environmentalists, advocacy leaders, monks, nuns, Jews, Muslims, Christians, pagans, movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, former US Vice President Al Gore, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, along with ordinary citizens, came over to pressure the world leaders to prioritize and do drastic action in resolving climate change and global warming now plaguing planet earth. They want this first in the agenda more than Ebola Virus and Iraq atrocities. To make sure they get the attention, some went there topless, in banana costume, or wore dust masks. Was Superman, Spiderman, or the Justice League in attendance, too?
The message was well-received. Former US Vice President and noted environmentalist Al Gore was in attendance and so was the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, who will address the issue in the UN climate summit meeting. In fact, before the march, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has already committed the city to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 percent by 2050.
Secretary of State John Kerry, who was nearby convening with 17 foreign ministers on Major Economies Forum, vowed to focus on climate change throughout the week. In a report by the New York Times, he said "the grave threat that climate change poses warrants a prominent position on that list" that included insurgent terrorists in Iraq and the Ebola outbreak in Africa. He added this is an immediate concern with " even greater, longer-term consequences that can cost hundreds of billions, trillions of dollars, and lives, and the security of the world."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said, "I am overwhelmed by such a strong power, energy and voice of people.. .I hope this voice will be truly reflected to the leaders when they meet on September 23rd. Climate change is (a) defining issue of our time and there is no time to lose. If we do not take action now, we will have to pay much more.
