Thousands swarm Toronto streets for climate change

Some believe the overwhelming turnout may not make a difference in the global warming issue

On Sunday afternoon, thousands of protestors took to Toronto’s streets for People’s Climate March, a global protest to raise awareness about growing climate issues.

The protestors gathered around the downtown core. The march began at Yonge-Dundas Square and ended at Nathan Phillips Square late in the afternoon.

Protestors rallied for several hours, marching throughout the streets, accompanied with green poster signs and yelling, “Green is the way to go!”

Other protestors In several Canadian cities, including Winnipeg, Vancouver and Montreal, also took to the streets to rally.

Environmental journalist Stephen Leahy believes this kind of protest gives the participants a sense of purpose.

“Participating in these things makes people feel solidarity, and also that they are doing something about a growing problem, instead of just complaining,” Leahy said.

Leahy spoke to over 3,000 global activists who attended the march this past Sunday.

Cities all over the world also took part in climate change marches, including 310,000 people who gathered in New York City, the largest protest for this issue to date.

“There is a real positive side to these group advocate activities,” Leahy said. “That being said, someone has to organize it, and that is not an easy task.”

However, not everyone felt as positive about the overall participation. Larraine Ferns, an environmental activist, felt that there were not enough people in the march.

“I am disappointed,” Ferns said. “I would have liked to see them fill every inch of the street.”

The protest is believed to have taken place as a response to the UN Climate Summit of world leaders scheduled on Sept. 23 in New York City.

“I honestly don’t think there was enough people there to make a change,” Ferns said.

About this article

By: Sam Turchan
Copy editor: Erin Sandel
Posted: Sep 25 2014 9:52 pm
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Filed under: News Science & Health
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