Feeling the chill for change

Nelsonians froze for climate change at the weekend to urge their fellow citizens to take the issue seriously.

About 40 people lined Trafalgar St on Saturday and stood still to the soundtrack of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror blaring from speakers. Dressed in red shirts pinned with climate slogans, the group wanted to raise awareness of international talks which begin today in Copenhagen.

Ruth Copeland of the Nelson Environment Centre said the event was about making sure everyone knew it was their responsibility to make a difference.

"Climate change is a real issue and we all have to do something by being as eco-wise as we all can."

Tens of thousands of delegates, activists, diplomats, officials and tourists will be attending COP15, the 15th United Nations Conference of Parties this week. The talks are the latest in a series of annual UN meetings that grew out of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which aimed at co-ordinating international action against climate change.

Those who froze for climate change in Nelson encouraged members of the public to sign a petition calling for positive action at the eco-conference.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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