Sixty thousand join The Wave to call for climate justice

Concern. Spirit. Passion. Hope.
Those were the emotions on display as blue-clad marchers raised flags and placards high and took to the streets of London today to demand stronger Government action on climate change.

Dressed in blue knit caps and top hats, riding in blue pushchairs, swathed in blue scarves and capes, painted blue from forehead to chin, marchers created a 'Wave' of citizen concern. Just two days out from the start of global climate talks in Copenhagen, their top message was a call to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to 'Make Copenhagen Count'. As one group of marchers put it, we are running out of chances to stop dangerous climate change: 'if not us, who? If not now, when?'

I donned my RSPB tabard to hand out flags,  placards and whistles at the RSPB's meet-and-greet point, before we wended our way through Grosvenor Square, past bemused (including many supportive) shoppers on Mayfair and Piccadilly, down Whitehall to the Houses of Parliament.
It was magic to see the sheer diversity of interests and voices and faces in the crowd: from Christian Aid to Friends of the Earth campaigners , from 'Students Ride The Wave' to staff and customers of the Cooperative Bank. And there bobbing and weaving above the procession were three huge inflatable spheres, boasting the avocet logo of the RSPB.

I admired the dozens of parents who'd brought their youngsters in buggies and baby-carriers: no mean feat. One small girl, around six years old, pranced circles around her dad waving a sign that said 'I'm voting in 2021'.

The RSPB's supporters, as part of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, were speaking out, not just for youngsters who don't yet have a vote, not just on their own behalf, but also for nature that needs a voice. Our demands? For the UK Government to 'act fair and fast' to deliver a binding international climate deal in Copenhagen, contribute aid funds to 'protect the poorest' of the world, and 'quit dirty coal' power at home.

Critically, we want the UK to lead in Europe, so that the EU can go to Copenhagen with an unconditional offer of 30 percent emissions cuts by 2020, and a 40 per cent cut on offer if other nations make meaningful commitments. This is 10 percent higher than the commitment currently on the table from Mr Brown's government. Just two days until the talks start.  Just two weeks in Copenhagen to make, literally, a world of difference.

Come on, Mr Brown. Sixty thousand of us, representing many, many more, showed you how much we care. Now go to Copenhagen and make us proud .

For more than 1,000 photos of The Wave, and to add your own, visit www.flickr.com/groups/the-wave