Thousands flood to The Wave

SCIAF supporters and their fellow marchers sent a strong message to world leaders ahead of the vital climate change talks in Copenhagen.

The family-friendly march in Glasgow demonstrated the wide public support for world leaders to agree a strong and legally-binding climate deal in Copenhagen.

This must include commitments from wealthy industrialised nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020 (on 1990 levels) and provide $195 billion in additional money to help developing countries adapt to the climate change challenges they face, and grow low carbon economies.

Those who marched from Bellahouston Park to Kelvingrove Park enjoyed a range of entertainment from speeches and live music to kite making and face painting.

The Wave was organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), which represents over 60 organisations including SCIAF, and two million people across Scotland. It is the largest civil society coalition since Make Poverty History in 2005. There were simultaneous Wave demonstrations in Belfast, Dublin, London, Paris, Brussels and Berlin.

Speaking at The Wave SCIAF’s Chief Executive Paul Chitnis said:

“SCIAF is already seeing the devastating impact of climate change across Africa, Asia and Latin America. I’ve just returned from El Salvador where 140 people were killed by floods and landslides in November. Tragedies like this will become more frequent unless there is a strong, legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help poor countries adapt to climate change.

“It was great to see so many people turn out for The Wave to demand action from our political leaders. Now it is up to them to deliver an historic, ambitious and life saving deal in Copenhagen. "