Thousands of people in Paris spell out a message for climate justice using geolocation

11 months ago

With restrictions on the demonstrations able to take place in Paris during COP21, a group of activists set up a pretty unique initiative that would get their message across in a different way.

Using geocaching, activists gathered in specific locations across Paris to spell out the words Climate Justice Peace – it’s impressive, and comes as a final draft of the international climate agreement was presented to countries.

After registering on a website, anyone who wanted to partake in the demonstration was sent a location. As people arrived, more and more locations lit up on the map. Here’s what it looked like before everyone was in position.

Friends of the Earth, who organised the spectacle, said there were 3,000 participants who’ve all been taking pictures at their location and sharing them on social media.

They’ve also been collated on to the main site.

Other demonstrations have also been taking place, including a march where everyone is wearing red to symbolise the red line we cannot cross if global warming is to stay below 2C.

A final draft of the international climate deal negotiated at United Nations talks in Paris includes a target to keep temperature rises “well below” 2C and commits to strive to curb increases to 1.5C.

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius, who was chairing the talks, told countries: “It’s my deep conviction that we have come up with an ambitious and balanced agreement”, as he presented them with the final draft.

“You are going to be deciding a historic agreement,” he told ministers. “The world is holding its breath, it’s counting on all of us.”

French president Francois Hollande told delegates that if they decide to agree the deal before them it will be “a major leap for mankind”, bringing in the first universal climate change agreement in history.