Undoubtedly, climate change talks have failed over the years and resulted in stagnation, contemplation and brooding pessimism. It has been one of the most controversial issues of the 20th century and remains the Achilles heel of the international society. However, protests taking place during the last weeks across the planet to the backdrop of the United Nation Climate Change Summits, have stole (if what briefly) international news headlines. In garnering widespread global attention, these international movements, have once again proven that global citizens are actively concerned about the future of our planet.

The rise of civic action across the planet has one big message: ‘Curb emissions to save the planet’. It acts as a pressing wake-up call to leaders of the world to engage once and for all in the climate challenge. What demonstrators and non-governmental organisations are illustrating is the power of the protest. A successful environmentally awakened campaign highlights the present and future risks of a wrongly managed global environment. The protests taking place during the last weeks across the planet have once again proven that many are worried about the environmental state we are leaving our world in for future generations. In calling more strongly for comprehensive and successful talks on Climate Change, hopefully, enthusiasm from the streets can be transformed into active political decision-making.

From New York, Melbourne, Paris to Bogota, Barcelona and Jakarta, the environmental bug has gone viral. The 3,000 strong protest movement on the streets of Manhattan was to an extent successful in gaining international media attention. However, this was arguably more by virtue of its famous sponsors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mark Ruffalo rather than because of the prominence of the cause itself. Though one must concede that the presence of such public icons does strengthen the publicity of the environmental call and gives a strong echo to the voice of the citizens.

Mirrored in words of both the UN leaders and Hollywood actors is a deep call to act responsibly in fear of shame and guilt. At the United Nations Head Quarters in New York last month Ban Ki-Moon reminded the audience that leaders are ‘not here to talk, but to make history.’ The actor Leonardo DiCaprio urged world leaders to take concrete action as ‘you can make history or you will be vilified.’ Despite these strong appeals, the international community still face hurdles in a real environmental deal and an overhauling change of mentality. UN Summits leave its audience with more pessimism and deadlocks than anything else. The gatherings may put commitments on the table but whether political leadership can bring them into a reality remains in question. One can only hope that the recent public activism, will compel an effective resolution for change. What is undeniable regardless, is that the public has definitely spoken.