Climate change: Protests held ahead of California summit

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A hand-drawn sunflower on a "Rise for the Climate" poster during the "March for the climate", in Republic Square, Paris, France on 8 September 2018Image source, EPA
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The "Rise for the Climate" march took place in cities around the world

Environmentalists have held protests around the world demanding stepped up measures against climate change, ahead of a summit in California next week.

Politicians, business leaders and celebrities will attend the Global Climate Action Summit, whose sponsors include the UN, Facebook and Google.

Thousands protested in Paris, days after France's environment minister quit over perceived policy failures.

The demonstrations have been organised by the group 350.org.

In all, more than 900 protests were held in 95 countries, the group said.

On Friday, Pacific island nations declared climate change to be the "single biggest threat" they face.

The protests began on Saturday with tall ships sailing into Sydney Harbour in Australia.

The environmental ship Southern Swan in Sydney Harbour on 8 September 2018.Image source, AFP
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Saturday's demonstrations started in Sydney harbour

Australia remains heavily reliant on coal to generate electricity, but activists say the country must join an international push towards renewable energy.

An environmental activist wearing a face mask depicting US President Donald Trump takes part in a demonstration in Bangkok, outside the UN building where experts are discussing the Paris Agreement on climate change, on 8 September 2018.Image source, AFP
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Demonstrators in Bangkok highlighted their opposition to US President Donald Trump

In Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, environmentalists demonstrated outside a building where climate experts were discussing the 2015 Paris accord.

The agreement commits nearly 200 countries to keeping rising global temperatures "well below" 2C above pre-industrial levels.

Last year President Donald Trump announced the US would pull out of the deal, but this will not become effective until 2020 at the earliest.

Protest in Manila against fossil fuel industries, 8 SeptemberImage source, AFP
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In Manila protesters called for renewables to replace "dirty" energy

Environmental groups accuse the US of using UN talks to reduce the contributions of developed countries to the Green Climate Fund, which was set up to help countries deal with the effects of global warming.

Activists gather to urge world leaders to take action against climate change in Lima, Peru on 8 September 2018.Image source, Reuters
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In Peru's capital Lima, activists gathered to protest against fossil fuel consumption

In Manila in the Philippines, demonstrators demanded an end to the funding of fossil fuel companies and more investment in renewable energies.

A hooded environmentalist stands at a camp the Tagebau Hambach mine in Kerpen, western Germany.Image source, AFP
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Germany's Tagebau Hambach mine has led to the destruction of large forests

German environmentalists protested outside the open-pit Tagebau Hambach coal mine in the west of the country.

In France, where popular Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot quit in frustration last week, rallies were held in several cities, including Paris, Strasbourg and Marseille.

Official estimates said 18,000 marched in Paris, but the demonstrations organisers said 50,000 attended.

Demonstration for action against climate change in Paris, 8 SeptemberImage source, EPA
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A "march for the climate" took place in the French capital

Activists and NGOs demonstrated in front of the city hall in Paris, France, 08 September 2018.Image source, EPA
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Estimates say between 18,000 and 50,000 people attended the Paris demonstration

French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon attends a demonstration to urge world leaders to take action against climate change in Marseille, 8 SeptemberImage source, Reuters
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In Marseille, far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon attended a similar demonstration

Signs saying "Rise for climate justice" are seen in San Francisco, California, USA on 8 September 2018Image source, AFP
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Demonstrations took place across the US

At a protest in downtown San Francisco in the US, signs made to look like solar panels were placed on pavements near the protest.

Signs designed to resemble solar panels lie on the sidewalk before the "Rise For Climate" march in downtown San Francisco, California on 8 September 2018.Image source, AFP
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Protesters in the US used slogans on "solar panels" to voice their positions on a variety of issues