About 120 people and one polar bear took part in a climate change march through Alexandra's town centre today.
The event was part of global action this weekend aimed at sending a message to world leaders ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Paris next week.
The goal is to put pressure on world leaders for Earth to be run on 100% renewable energy by 2050.
Those taking part in the Alexandra rally this morning marched from the War Memorial along Centennial Ave before returning to Pioneer Park.
Marchers ranged in age from pre-schoolers to senior citizens.
A life-size polar bear, adorned with newspaper headlines on climate change, was carried aloft during the march and was later signed by the marchers.
Its creator, Chris Naylor, of Springvale, said the bear would "probably hang around and do his bit for the cause.''
"I suspect polar bears will become a symbol of climate change. It's species like that which will go to the wall,'' he said.
Climate activist Terra Dumont (27), of Alexandra, said being a young person in today's world could be terrifying and she was part of the generation having to deal with the consequences of what earlier generations had done.
She aimed to reduce her own carbon footprint by living in town, eating fewer meat and dairy products and biking instead of using a car.
Ms Dumont saw hope in grass roots movements like the ones running the marches around the country but "did not see hope in our Government.''
The country had the potential to lead the world in calling for action on climate change and she urged the Government to make that pledge: "one we can all be proud of''.
Central Otago District Councillor and MAD4CO member Clair Higginson said people needed to let the council know they wanted it to take action on this topic.
During the week, Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper had signed the Local Government Leaders Climate Change Declaration, she said.
Climate scientist Greg Bodeker, of Alexandra, said events like the march were "important to show that people are not apathetic and that's communicated to the people that represent us.''
Protesters in Auckland gathered at Albert Park in the central city before taking the well trodden demonstration-route along Queen St.
In Wellington, thousands gathered in Civic Square.
Chants of "two, four, six, eight, save the earth it's not too late,'' rang out as marchers made their way down Lambton Quay to Parliament.
We shut down the wellington cbd, #climatechange pic.twitter.com/sSWq9JDwwD
— rachelnankivell (@rachelnankivell) November 28, 2015
John Gibson, 57, said he was "deeply concerned since 2010 for the world's climate and ecosystem''.
"It's becoming evident to help protect the planet and ecosystem to reduce damage to the climate.
"We need serious action in reduction of carbon dioxide emissions,'' he said.
"We need to be resilient against increased storminess and sea level rise.''
Wellington college teacher Sophie Molloy, 25, said change was necessary and New Zealand had the power to change.
"I want the government to be passionate about this.
"Because we are slightly a removed country, we have the power to change as a country,'' she said.
"We need to lower our meat consumption, use more public transport.
"You can educate yourself. Take responsibility for your actions.''
New Zealand march coordinator Kristin Gillies said climate change was an issue that united people from all backgrounds. She hoped to build a movement of ordinary Kiwis who can hold the government to account.
"We've got a really broad coalition of organisations who have come on board from church groups to the unions to the environmental organisations to developmental organisations and groups of Pacific Islanders and Maori.''
Ms Gillies said current targets were woeful and its about time there was more urgency in the government's approach.
"The government's already stated that it is taking to negotiations and we know that they are woefully inadequate, and so we really don't expect to get a great outcome from these talks even if an agreement is reached globally.''
More climate matches are being held in Otago tomorrow: Dunedin, Dental School, 1pm; Wanaka, Roys Bay Recreational Reserve (Dinosaur Park), 1pm; Queenstown, Frankton Camping Ground, 1.30pm.
additional reporting NZME and Newstalk ZB
