Thousands Join March Against Climate Change

Thousands of campaigners have marched through central London to demand global action on climate change ahead of a UN summit of world leaders on Tuesday.

Activists including the actress Emma Thompson, musician Peter Gabriel and designer Vivienne Westwood joined the march, which is one of 2,000 events taking place in 150 countries around the world.

Speaking from the march in London, Sky's Ashish Joshi said: "The organisers are putting the numbers in the tens of thousands, but that is a small part of the global movement."

Thompson said her recent visit to the Arctic had woken her up to the urgency of climate change action.

"Climate change is connected to all events round the world - particularly to war,” she said.

She said the world needs to make changes if we are to survive.

Ben Phillips, campaign director of Oxfam, said he was pleased that Prime Minister David Cameron will attend the summit.

He added: "We need to get all our leaders there - Saudi Arabia, Canada and Russia are not even planning to show up."

Around 30,000 protesters also marched through Treasury Gardens in Melbourne, Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was a particular target of the protesters after his government removed a carbon tax. Australia is currently reviewing its renewable energy target.

Community activist Geoff Holland, who joined the march in Melbourne, said the G20 is not discussing the world's real problems of climate change, extreme poverty and war.

"Today is the United Nations International Day of Peace and also the people's climate march, but I don't believe the real issues are on their agenda," he said.

"It's about protecting the interests of transnational corporations and the banks."

The rallies culminated in a march in New York before more than 120 world leaders convene on Tuesday for a UN summit aimed at galvanising political will for a new global climate treaty.

Thousands filled the streets near Columbus Circle and Broadway, including actors Mark Ruffalo and Evangeline Lilly.