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350.org

World celebrates events to raise awareness of climate change

AP

10/24/2009

Some 300 rallies, bike rides, dance performances and talks were held in China as part of a worldwide climate change campaign by the international environmental group 350.org.

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Activists from around the world joined China''s youth for a series of events designed to raise awareness of climate change across the world''s most populous country on Saturday.

Some 300 rallies, bike rides, dance performances and talks were held in various Chinese cities in support of clean energy solutions to the climate crisis as part of a worldwide climate change campaign by the international environmental group 350.org.

The activities included biking through the streets of Beijing, a dance performance on a glacier in Tibet, rallies on a mountain in Hefei province and at a windfarm in Inner Mongolia, according to the China Youth Climate Network.

In Beijing, over a hundred Chinese and overseas cyclists rode through the streets shouting environmental slogans and preaching their message of change.

Cyclists and roller bladers passed iconic Beijing landmarks like the Imperial Drum and Bell tower during their one hour bike ride which covered over 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

Their action is being echoed in hundreds of cities worldwide.

In Sydney, an estimated 2,000 protesters with umbrellas sat on the Opera House steps to spell out the figure ''350'' and hundreds more did the same on the city''s famous Manly Beach.

More than 150 events were held in Australia, with thousands more scheduled in 170 countries worldwide in attempts to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere to 350 parts per (m) million.

"That''s what most scientists are saying we have to get back to. We''re now at 387," said Sydney organiser Blair Palese.

The start of the campaign was accompanied by a tall-masted sailing ship emblazoned with the message "350 for a safe climate" and live music from local musicians.

In Brisbane, activists tolled hand bells 350 times and in Darwin residents formed a human tide-line across the top of Jingili footbridge.

Protesters in the Philippines capital Manila, joined the day of action as they formed another ''human 350'' in the city''s Luneta Park.


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