Updated 8pm

Emma Thompson at the beginning of The People's Climate March, Central London Laura Lean Laura Lean

THOUSANDS OF EVENTS took place around the world to raise awareness of climate change today – including in Ireland.

A People’s Climate Picnic took place at St Stephen’s Green in Dublin, a family-friendly event organised by Stop Climate Chaos; the Climate Gathering; and People’s Climate Ireland.

Participants in the New York march AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

This was just one part of a global protest to call on governments to accelerate action on climate change.

Around the world

In the US, heads of state are due to arrive in New York to attend UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s historic Climate Summit, which will take place on Tuesday, 23 September.

In the run up to this, marches, events and rallies are planned to take place in cities across the globe under the one banner: To Change Everything, We Need Everyone.

Today, thousands of people are expected to take part in the People’s Climate March in Manhattan.

There are also events taking place in the UK, Brazil, Russia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan, to name but a few countries.

Here’s a global map where you can find out more.

While the People’s Climate Picnic is about having fun, it is also about raising awareness about climate change issues, in an effort to send the message to Taoiseach Enda Kenny that people in Ireland care about climate change.

The Taoiseach will be one of the 120+ world leaders attending the UN summit, where he will announce measures that Ireland will be taking to address climate change.

A woman holds a sign on 42nd Street in New York during a climate change march AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Last Wednesday, the Climate Action Bill was put as a top priority on the Government’s  legislative programme when it returned after summer break.

Ciara Kirrane, Coordinator at Stop Climate Chaos, said:

This level of prioritisation of climate change, both at home and internationally, is long overdue. By placing the Climate Bill on the A list the government is signalling its intention to enact climate legislation before the end of 2014. The Taoiseach is on the record as saying this is his hope, and we are calling on him to commit to that deadline at the Climate Summit on Tuesday.

She added that Stop Climate Chaos is also calling on the Taoiseach to include the principle of ‘climate justice’ in the bill.

She explained: “Climate justice is about recognising the responsibility developed countries, like Ireland, have to those who are on the frontline of climate change in vulnerable communities around the world.”

The coalition are also calling for the establishment of a Climate Justice Fund. They say this would be used to provide Ireland’s share of the international finance promised to help poorer countries cope with and contain climate change.

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