Foreign Desk: Approximately 75,000 people in Manhattan, New York, have staged a protest demanding the cessation of fossil fuel usage, particularly the burning of biomass.
The demonstration coincided with the commencement of the United Nations General Assembly session, where global leaders have gathered to address climate issues.
Under the banner of the “Climate Group,” a coalition spanning over 700 organizations worldwide has planned a week-long series of protests, with 54 countries, including the United States, Germany, England, South Korea, and India, participating in these demonstrations.
Sunday’s protest marked the beginning of these events. Activists from various corners of the globe have converged to make their voices heard.
Despite substantial investments in green infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, critics argue that President Joe Biden has not taken sufficient action to reduce the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an outspoken advocate for climate action, commented, “What we’re seeing is people taking to the streets to demand that we stop what’s killing us.
We need to send a strong message that many of us want to survive on this planet for another 30, 40, 50 years and beyond, so we refuse to hear ‘no’ as an answer.”
Dr. Dana Fisher, a social scientist at American University in Washington, D.C., who researches environmental movements, surveyed participants in Sunday’s protest.
Her findings indicate that 86% of recent climate protesters have experienced heat-related issues, 21% have encountered wildfires, and 18% have witnessed severe droughts, underscoring the impact of climate change on their lives.
Many scientists argue that the release of greenhouse gases, such as those from burning biomass, is contributing to rising global temperatures, leading to an increase in hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts worldwide.
Experts warn that within the next five years, the world may witness unprecedented high-temperature records, urging everyone to remain vigilant about the growing climate crisis.