Climate demonstration in New York
Tens of thousands are calling for an end to fossil fuels
September 18, 2023, 12:17 p.m
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Climate activists accuse US President Biden of not doing enough to combat dependence on fossil fuels. Shortly before the UN General Assembly, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in New York to demand more climate protection.
Before the start of the UN General Assembly, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in New York to demand more climate protection and an end to fossil fuels. Supporters from around 700 organizations and activist groups took part in the protests. They held placards with slogans like “Biden, end fossil fuels” and “I didn’t vote for fires and floods.” US President Joe Biden is one of the leaders who will take part in the UN general debate that officially begins on Tuesday.
She was there “to call on the government to declare a climate emergency,” said Analilia Mejia, director of the activist group Center for Popular Democracy. “We must wake up and take immediate action,” she added. The 46-year-old described recent extreme weather events in Canada, Hawaii, Greece and Libya as evidence of the “existential crisis” that climate change represents. Another participant said she was inviting the politicians “to her home” in California to “spend the night next to an oil and gas well.”
Five major oil companies sued
California had sued five of the world’s largest oil companies, accusing them of causing billions of dollars in damages and “active misinformation” about risks associated with fossil fuels. In a historic push, Biden has allocated billions of dollars for green energy projects. But activists accuse him of not doing enough to wean the U.S. off fossil fuel dependency.
A climate summit will also take place at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday at the initiative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.