New York Launches Climate Week with Mass Demonstrations

Thousands of protesters kicked off "Climate Week" today, Sunday, crowding the streets of Midtown Manhattan in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly this week, demanding U.S. President Joe Biden and world leaders to stop using fossil fuels. The demonstrators marched accompanied by music and drumbeats, holding signs with phrases such as "Stop using fossil fuels," "Fossil fuels kill," and "Declare a climate emergency." One man dressed in a melting snowman costume warned of rising sea levels. The message was directed at world leaders to save the planet from oil and gas usage, which is believed to contribute to global warming. Today's protests are part of an international effort throughout the week by the Climate Group, a nonprofit organization aiming to push for actions related to combating climate change and global warming. More than 500 protests are scheduled during Climate Week across the United States, Germany, England, South Korea, India, and other locations in a total of 54 countries. The organizers expect over a million people to participate worldwide. The protests come two months before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), where more than 80 countries plan to push for a global agreement to phase out coal, oil, and gas.