Sydney: At least 50,000 people marched across Australia on Saturday as part of a global protest demanding tough action from world leaders on climate change.
Thousands of people gathered in front of Australia's parliament house in Canberra, while 10,000-strong crowds marched through Sydney, Melbourne and other major cities.
As many as 80,000 activists from across the globe are expected to gather in the Danish capital of Copenhagen where United Nations talks on climate change are being held.
"They're all out here, walking against warming ... to coincide with of course, the Copenhagen Climate change conference," spokesman James Dannenberg told state radio.
"We want [world leaders] to bring home a treaty, we want them to stand by the Pacific and our neighbours there. And we want them to deliver and ensure a safe climate future for us all."
It was Australia's fifth annual "Walk Against Warming" demonstration, and organisers said their message had never been more critical.
"It's vital that in the coming week our world leaders make a commitment on climate change," said Tricia Phelan, one of the Melbourne protest organisers.
Worldwide protests are planned from Kabul to the Arctic Circle, with Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu and former Irish President Mary Robinson to preside over a special vigil in Copenhagen.
