CRI听力:UN Chief Takes Part in Mass March over Climate Change

Street protests demanding urgent action on climate change have been taking place around the world, with marches reported in more than 2,000 locations.

It comes ahead of the UN climate summit in New York this week.

Huge demonstrations have been taking place in Australia and Europe.

In Manhattan, tens of thousands of people took part in a march. UN chief Ban Ki-moon was among them.

"I am overwhelmed by such a strong power and energy and voice of people. I hope this voice will be truly reflected to the leaders when they meet on September 23rd. Climate change is a defining issue of our time. And there is no time to lose."

The UN chief is joined by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and former US Vice President Al Gore.

Organizers of the march say the massive mobilization is aimed at transforming climate change "from an environmental concern to an 'everybody issue.'"

In Australia, up to 20,000 people reportedly turned out in Melbourne to call on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to do more to tackle climate change.

On Tuesday, the UN will host a climate summit in New York with 125 heads of state and government - the first such gathering since the unsuccessful climate conference in Copenhagen in 2009.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon hopes leaders can make progress on a universal agreement to be signed by all nations at the end of 2015.