Earth Day 2023

On Earth Day 22nd April, people around the world engaged in demonstrations, demanding greater action on climate change. In front of the Houses of Parliament in London, climate activists, including the group Extinction Rebellion, took part in a four day campaign.

Matthew Tulley is a volunteer with the group.

Matthews Tulley: "The whole thing is about influencing politicians. We've got May elections coming up fairly soon."

In the UK, Extinction Rebellion abandoned their more extreme approach to protest to encourage more people to take part in the demonstrations and around 10,000 packed Parliament Square.

The focus of the protest was on nature and biodiversity, with some demonstrators participating in a mass 'die-in' to represent the 70 percent decline in wild animal populations, since the first Earth Day, in 1970.

Whilst the scenes in London were echoed in many capitals around the world, in Lima, Peru, shamans performed a ceremony to 'calm the anger' of the planet. Ana Maria Simeon's one of the shamans.

Ana Maria Simeon: "What we have been doing today, since we are celebrating Earth Day, is asking Mother Earth to calm her anger."

Using coca leaves, swords, incense and a live snake, they make offerings and recite prayers to honour the planet.

Walter Alarcon's president of the Association of Shamans.

Walter Alarcon: "We always thank the Earth because sometimes the human being is the one who deteriorates the Earth and so nature responds. That's why there are many disasters."

Whilst the shamans appeal to the planet, the demonstrators appeal to the government. Tarin believes more people need to make their voices heard.

Tarin: "At the end of the day we need a lot more people than this to come together and unite. I think with people rising with numbers, the government and big businesses will be forced to make some drastic decisions."

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