Environmental group Greenrock expressed solidarity with the organisers of a climate change march in Paris.

The Global March for the Climate had been scheduled to be held on Sunday, but was banned by the French Government due to the recent terror attacks in the city.

Eugene Dean, who emceed the lunchtime rally yesterday, said that climate change needed to be treated as a serious issue and that action needs to be taken.

“Bermuda is a very small country, but through our example we can show that living sustainably is real and something we can do in our future,” he said.

Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce chairman Stuart Hayward also addressed the crowd, said that climate change affects all of us, particularly those who live in low-lying coastal areas as many Bermudians do.

“What can we do?” he asked. “Well first we can recognise that there is a problem, and then we can commit to the steps to address the causes. What can you do? You can decrease your carbon footprint. Change your transportation habits, change your food habits. Try to eat local. Change your energy consumption habits at home, at school and at work.

“You can become concerned and care. Become informed and act. Think globally but act locally, and act as if your life depends on it because it does.”

PLP senator Diallo Rabain meanwhile said the issue of climate change has been discussed for a long time and, while we have the tendency to believe Bermuda is another world, all efforts must be taken to protect our environment.

“There will always be competing interests, that being to protect the environment yet also promote tourism and other types of development,” he said.

“That ought to be a challenge for every country, but with the necessary consultation with the right stakeholders such as Greenrock and the like, our country and citizens can be agents of change and provide the necessary impetus to be stewards for the environment for future generations while encouraging sustainable development.”