The Wave: 50,000 people demand climate justice
On 5 December, more than 50,000 people came together to demand action on climate change at The Wave, the biggest ever UK climate change march.
They called on the UK government to settle for nothing less than a climate deal in Copenhagen that avoids dangerous climate change and protects the world’s poorest people who are already feeling its effects.
CAFOD supporters joined people from all over the country dressed in blue, and with blue painted hands and faces, to encircle parliament.
See pics on our Wave Wall and add yours - with a message for Copenhagen
50,000 climate actions handed in to Downing Street
Campaigners of all ages joined The Wave, including many, like Hannah Radford from Birmingham, who had never been on a march like this before.
“I was so excited when I first heard about The Wave,” said 26-year-old Hannah. “I knew I had to come. I’m here with my friends to help show the whole world that the church wants to do something about climate change.”
Now the message to Gordon Brown - and to other world leaders - is clear: We're prepared to take action, how about you?
“Climate change is the most important issue in history, and poor countries are suffering incredibly,” said Sister Vianne, from Wrexham and Deeside, explaining why she also felt she had to join the march. “There are so many different organisations here, but we have one cause. Out of love for the earth, we have to take responsibility, we can’t wash our hands of the problem.”
Over 3,000 campaigners started the day of action with a time of reflection at an ecumenical service in Westminster Central Hall. They were greeted by CAFOD carol singers, singing new climate justice words to classic carols such as ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ and ‘Good King Wenceslas’.
Bringing hope
Archbishop Vincent Nichols encouraged the congregation that by marching today they were “expressing the robust Christian virtues of compassion and solidarity” and that they were ”not bringing anxiety and gloom, but bringing hope.” Read the Archbishop's full address
Umme Kulsum from our partner Prodipan in Bangladesh spoke powerfully and movingly at the service and from the main stage at the start of the march. She shared personal stories from the communities that she works alongside, bringing home the human cost of a changing climate. Watch her full speech
Katy Harris, CAFOD organiser for The Wave said, "We were delighted that so many thousands of people joined The Wave, showing their creativity, passion and commitment in support of climate justice for the world's poorest people. Now the message to Gordon Brown - and to other world leaders - is clear: We're prepared to take action, how about you?"
Crucial climate negotiations in Copenhagen begin today, and will continue for the next fortnight, as countries attempt to hammer out a new global climate deal.
Get the inside track: read our blogs from The Wave and Copenhagen
Find out what we need from the Copenhagen deal
The Observer: Five babies on four continents - how their lives will be affected by climate change
