Groups Expect Global Climate Protest   09/16 06:10

   BERLIN (AP) -- Civil society groups say they expect hundreds of thousands of 
people to join a worldwide protest for climate action Friday.

   Environmental activists, trade unions and church groups in Germany said 
Monday that more than 400 rallies are planned in the country alone.

   The protest, billed as a "global climate strike," is also expected to see 
events in Australia, Japan, India, South Africa, Britain the United States and 
dozens of other countries.

   It's partly inspired by the activism of Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who 
has staged weekly demonstrations over the past year calling on world leaders to 
step up efforts against global warming.

   The demonstrations take place days before a U.N. climate summit in New York 
at which heads of government will present their long-term plans for curbing 
greenhouse gas emissions. 


(KR)