Earth Day 2023

Earth Day 22nd April was marked by protests across the globe, with cries for greater political agency to tackle climate change.

Extinction Rebellion and climate activists rallied in a four day campaign in front of London's Houses of Parliament, hoping to influence politicians to act.

Volunteering for Extinction Rebellion is activist Matthew Tulley.

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

In a bid to garner wider support, Extinction Rebellion has held back on their more extreme protest tactics to draw more people to the demonstrations, where some 10,000 descended on Parliament Square.

Staging a mass 'die-in', protesters played up the dire situation of biodiversity, highlighting the 70 percent loss and the significant decrease in wildlife populations, since the first Earth Day held in 1970.

Similar sentiments reverberated around the planet, as shamans in Lima, Peru also marked Earth Day. Chanting several incantations in a ceremony, the shamans beseeched Mother Earth to appease the planet's rage, as Shaman Anna Maria Simeon explains.

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

Equipped with coca leaves, swords, incense and even a live snake, they offer tributes and perform invocations to pay homage to the planet. Harmony's important for president of the Association of Shamans, Walter Alarcon.

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 shamans were calling on the planet, protesters were calling on governments and big businesses to urgently effect change.

Protester Tarin finds strength in numbers.

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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