Activists fighting against climate change gathered in front of the UK Parliament today, Saturday, on the occasion of Earth Day to urge action on the phenomenon of global warming, while volunteers around the world prepared to plant trees and clean up waste in celebration of the 54th anniversary of this event.
Activists, led by the group Extinction Rebellion, convened in London to kick off a four-day initiative dubbed "The Big One" coinciding with Earth Day.
Approximately 30,000 people participated in peaceful marches and gatherings, representing a shift in strategy for the group known for its disruptive tactics including blocking roads, throwing paint, and smashing windows.
Globally, there has been a surge of activity in the lead-up to Earth Day, with events planned in Rome, Boston, and large cleanup campaigns at Dal Lake in Srinagar, India, and Cape Coral, which was hit by a hurricane in Florida, USA.
Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to increase funding to help developing countries combat climate change and reduce deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil during a meeting with world leaders.
This year’s Earth Day comes after weeks of extreme weather, as temperatures soared to record levels in Thailand, and India experienced a severe heat wave that resulted in at least 13 deaths from heatstroke at a festival last weekend.
Climate scientists have warned that global average temperatures could reach their highest levels ever in 2023 or 2024. A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that the planet's temperature is on track to rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels, which is the critical threshold for more harmful impacts, between 2030 and 2035.
