Climate activists launch over 260 protests across France after summer heatwave

Greta Thunberg released a video urging citizens to attend climate protests slated for Saturday, emphasizing the need for urgent action after extreme weather this summer. The organizers, a group of employees from the association Bio Consom’acteurs, have coordinated more than 260 demonstrations across France, spanning locations such as Quimper, Clermont-Ferrand, Bayonne, Laval, Lille and Paris. In Paris, the Pope's visit forced the planned march to be reduced to a stationary gathering at Place de la République.

The protests were conceived while the country faced unprecedented heat, forest fires and severe drought. Activists hope the widespread mobilization will pressure authorities to adopt a concrete climate plan.