Following the cancellation of the Paris Climate March amid security fears, the climate community did what they've long been asking the international community to do: adapt to a changing environment. What would have been tens of thousands of feet marching on the streets of Paris transformed into 10,000 empty shoes at Place de la République, as well as a creative action, known as the Human Chain.
Demonstrators formed a single-file human chain to mark the site of the original Paris Climate March route. Below is a series of photos I took from the demonstration.
Activists dance on the streets of Paris near the human chain, despite the heavy police presence.
Climate activists, holding the Swedish flag, clasp hands in single file solidarity.
Demonstrators form a human chain along Boulevard Voltaire, marking the 3km-long route of the banned march.
A demonstrator sports a costume with an environmental message as he walks along Boulevard Voltaire.
A woman pauses for a moment of silence.
AYLI delegate and Pacific climate activist Kya Lal on the streets of Paris.
Back at the hostel, our delegation swapped biscuits and stories about the march. It was only then that I realized that my experience of the Human Chain was markedly different to the rest of the delegation—read Flo’s recount in a coming blog post.
All posts by Institute delegates reflect their own thoughts, opinions and experiences, and do not reflect those of the Institute.