Some corals have lived for centuries at the fringes of Mauritius. Now smothered for days in heavy fuel oil spilled from a wrecked Japanese tanker nearby, parts of those reefs may be in trouble.

The full impact of the toxic spill is still unfolding, scientists say. As the Indian Ocean island’s residents scramble to mop up the oil slicks and clumps, they are seeing dead eels and fish floating in the water, as fuel-soaked seabirds limp onto shore.

Satellite images also show the 1,000 tonnes of spilled oil spreading northward along the coastline from the spill site in the turquoise waters of Blue Bay Marine Park.

The damage, scientists say, could impact Mauritius and its tourism-dependent economy for decades.

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“This oil spill occurred in one of, if not the most, sensitive areas in Mauritius,” oceanographer and environmental engineer Vassen Kauppaymuthoo told Reuters by telephone from the island, where he was surveying the disaster. “We are talking of decades to recover from this damage, and some of it may never recover.”

The wildlife at risk include the seagrasses blanketing sand in the shallow waters, clownfish darting around coral reefs, mangrove trees corralling the coastline with their tangled root systems, and the critically endangered Pink Pigeon, endemic to the island.

Giant tortoises slow-walk through a nature reserve on the nearby islet, Ile-aux-Aigrettes, where there is also a scientific research station. Altogether, Blue Bay Marine park counts 38 types of coral and 78 species of fish.

The spill brings “a massive poisonous shock to the system,” said Adam Moolna, an environmental scientist from Mauritius who lectures at Keele University in Britain. “This oil will have cascading effects across the webs of life.”

Still uncontained

The spill came from the Japanese-owned MV Wakashio, which rammed into a reef in the marine park on July 25. It is still unclear why the ship was sailing so closely to the coast. About a week later, oil began gushing from the cracked vessel.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-environmental-emergency-mauritius-oil-spill-expands-10-times-its-original-size-320036">Also read:&nbsp;Amid environmental emergency, Mauritius oil spill expands 10 times its original size</a>

However, the flow had been stopped, authorities say, after they pumped the remaining oil from the ship.

On Thursday, the ship’s owner Nagashiki Shipping said it would face up to its liability and assess compensation for the disaster.

Already, about 15 km of coastline have been affected by the spill, said Mauritius Marine Conservation Society President Jacqueline Sauzier.

“We don’t have the equipment or the expertise to remove the oil, and time is of the essence to limit the damage,” she told Reuters.

Local residents are wading unprotected into the toxic waters, while using human hair as well as husks from sugar cane factories to quickly soak up as much of the spill as they can.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-images-show-mv-wakashio-leaking-oil-off-the-coast-of-mauritius-319057">Also see:&nbsp;Satellite images show MV Wakashio leaking oil off the coast of Mauritius</a>

For both people and wildlife, the spill will have a “resonating and resounding impact for the next 10 to 20 years,” said environmental toxicologist Craig Downs, who assesses oil spills but has not studied the spill in Mauritius.

Spiraling impact

Coral reefs and fish are likely to suffer first. That’s especially rough for Mauritius, where tourism and fishing are mainstays of the economy.

Corals that survive could have weakened resistance to marine heat waves, which are hitting the area due to climate change and have already caused some coral bleaching, experts say.

“If things continue to go the way they are the future prospects for coral reefs look very, very bleak indeed,” said Alex Rogers, a visiting professor at Oxford University and science director of REV Ocean, a not-for-profit company.

Conservationists are also anxious about oil washing into mangrove forests, where roots serve as nurseries for fish.

Oil also could sink into sediments around mangroves, where it could smother molluscs, crabs and fish larvae, said Callum Roberts, a professor of marine conservation at the University of Exeter in Britain.

“It’s very hard to remove once it’s sunk into the sediment,” Roberts said. “Trees can become sick and die.”

Birds nesting in the mangroves, or migrating via nearby mudflats, are also vulnerable. Ingesting oil can make it hard for birds to fight disease or even to fly, said environmental toxicologist Christopher Goodchild at Oklahoma State University.

Research has shown that “just a small amount of oil being transferred to a bird’s egg — as small as a droplet of blood — can actually cause a change in the bird embryo’s physiology,” he said.

Beds of seagrass, which like mangroves store vast quantities of climate-warming carbon dioxide, play a vital role in protecting coasts from waves.

On land, some scientists warn that washed up oil deposits could harden and lead to lasting change.

“In the long term, we could see an asphalt-like coast as the oil dissipates and degrades, as the oil puddles,” said Ralph Portier, an environmental scientist at Louisiana State University who studied the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“It’s a real tragedy,” Portier said.

Some corals have lived for centuries at the fringes of Mauritius. Now smothered for days in heavy fuel oil spilled from a wrecked Japanese tanker nearby, parts of those reefs may be in trouble.

Some corals have lived for centuries at the fringes of Mauritius. Now smothered for days in heavy fuel oil spilled from a wrecked Japanese tanker nearby, parts of those reefs may be in trouble. The full impact of the toxic spill is still unfolding, scientists say. As the Indian Ocean island’s residents scramble to mop up the oil slicks and clumps, they are seeing dead eels and fish floating in the water, as fuel-soaked seabirds limp onto shore. Satellite images also show the 1,000 tonnes of spilled oil spreading northward along the coastline from the spill site in the turquoise waters of Blue Bay Marine Park. The damage, scientists say, could impact Mauritius and its tourism-dependent economy for decades. × “This oil spill occurred in one of, if not the most, sensitive areas in Mauritius,” oceanographer and environmental engineer Vassen Kauppaymuthoo told Reuters by telephone from the island, where he was surveying the disaster. “We are talking of decades to recover from this damage, and some of it may never recover.” The wildlife at risk include the seagrasses blanketing sand in the shallow waters, clownfish darting around coral reefs, mangrove trees corralling the coastline with their tangled root systems, and the critically endangered Pink Pigeon, endemic to the island. Giant tortoises slow-walk through a nature reserve on the nearby islet, Ile-aux-Aigrettes, where there is also a scientific research station. Altogether, Blue Bay Marine park counts 38 types of coral and 78 species of fish. The spill brings “a massive poisonous shock to the system,” said Adam Moolna, an environmental scientist from Mauritius who lectures at Keele University in Britain. “This oil will have cascading effects across the webs of life.” Still uncontained The spill came from the Japanese-owned MV Wakashio, which rammed into a reef in the marine park on July 25. It is still unclear why the ship was sailing so closely to the coast. About a week later, oil began gushing from the cracked vessel. Also read: Amid environmental emergency, Mauritius oil spill expands 10 times its original size However, the flow had been stopped, authorities say, after they pumped the remaining oil from the ship. On Thursday, the ship’s owner Nagashiki Shipping said it would face up to its liability and assess compensation for the disaster. Already, about 15 km of coastline have been affected by the spill, said Mauritius Marine Conservation Society President Jacqueline Sauzier. “We don’t have the equipment or the expertise to remove the oil, and time is of the essence to limit the damage,” she told Reuters. Local residents are wading unprotected into the toxic waters, while using human hair as well as husks from sugar cane factories to quickly soak up as much of the spill as they can. Also see: Satellite images show MV Wakashio leaking oil off the coast of Mauritius For both people and wildlife, the spill will have a “resonating and resounding impact for the next 10 to 20 years,” said environmental toxicologist Craig Downs, who assesses oil spills but has not studied the spill in Mauritius. Spiraling impact Coral reefs and fish are likely to suffer first. That’s especially rough for Mauritius, where tourism and fishing are mainstays of the economy. Corals that survive could have weakened resistance to marine heat waves, which are hitting the area due to climate change and have already caused some coral bleaching, experts say. “If things continue to go the way they are the future prospects for coral reefs look very, very bleak indeed,” said Alex Rogers, a visiting professor at Oxford University and science director of REV Ocean, a not-for-profit company. Conservationists are also anxious about oil washing into mangrove forests, where roots serve as nurseries for fish. Oil also could sink into sediments around mangroves, where it could smother molluscs, crabs and fish larvae, said Callum Roberts, a professor of marine conservation at the University of Exeter in Britain. “It’s very hard to remove once it’s sunk into the sediment,” Roberts said. “Trees can become sick and die.” Birds nesting in the mangroves, or migrating via nearby mudflats, are also vulnerable. Ingesting oil can make it hard for birds to fight disease or even to fly, said environmental toxicologist Christopher Goodchild at Oklahoma State University. Research has shown that “just a small amount of oil being transferred to a bird’s egg — as small as a droplet of blood — can actually cause a change in the bird embryo’s physiology,” he said. Beds of seagrass, which like mangroves store vast quantities of climate-warming carbon dioxide, play a vital role in protecting coasts from waves. On land, some scientists warn that washed up oil deposits could harden and lead to lasting change. “In the long term, we could see an asphalt-like coast as the oil dissipates and degrades, as the oil puddles,” said Ralph Portier, an environmental scientist at Louisiana State University who studied the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “It’s a real tragedy,” Portier said.

'Massive poisonous shock': Scientists fear lasting impact from Mauritius oil spill

The operator of a Japanese bulk carrier which ran aground off Mauritius in the Indian Ocean apologised on Sunday for a major oil spill which officials and environmentalists say is creating an ecological disaster.

The MV Wakashio, operated by Mitsui OSK Lines, struck the reef on Mauritius’ southeast coast on July 25. Fuel started leaking from the cracked vessel on Thursday.

“We apologise profusely and deeply for the great trouble we have caused,” Akihiko Ono, executive vice president of Mitsui OSK Lines said at a new conference in Tokyo.

He added that the company would “do everything in their power to resolve the issue”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mauritius-declares-environmental-emergency-after-oil-spill-318992">Also read:&nbsp;Mauritius declares environmental emergency after oil spill</a>

At least 1,000 tonnes of oil is estimated to have leaked from the ship onto the waters surrounding Mauritius. Some 500 tonnes of oil have been salvaged from the ship, but there are still 2,500 tonnes remaining on the ship.

Neither Mitsui OSK Lines nor Nagashiki Shipping, the ship’s owner, could confirm the cost of damages from the oil spill.

Japan will dispatch a six-person disaster relief team, on the request of the Mauritius government, to help with removing the spilt oil, according to a statement by the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Sunday.

“We hope that this assistance will contribute to recovery of the environment of Mauritius and prevention of marine pollution,” the statement said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-exploring-avenues-to-help-mauritius-to-deal-with-oil-spill-319115">Also read:&nbsp;India exploring avenues to help Mauritius to deal with oil spill</a>

France was also sending specialist teams and equipment to Mauritius, once a French colony, to help deal with the spill.

Mauritius declared a state of “environmental emergency” on Friday following the accident.

Environmentalists fear the oil spill is the worst ecological disaster the island nation of Mauritius had seen, and would endanger its marine ecology and the pristine waters that attract tourists from around the globe.

Mauritius, famous for its pristine beaches, is popular with tourists who last year contributed 63 billion Mauritius rupees ($1.6 billion) to the economy.

The operator of a Japanese bulk carrier which ran aground off Mauritius in the Indian Ocean apologised on Sunday for a major oil spill which officials and environmentalists say is creating an ecological disaster.

The operator of a Japanese bulk carrier which ran aground off Mauritius in the Indian Ocean apologised on Sunday for a major oil spill which officials and environmentalists say is creating an ecological disaster. The MV Wakashio, operated by Mitsui OSK Lines, struck the reef on Mauritius’ southeast coast on July 25. Fuel started leaking from the cracked vessel on Thursday. “We apologise profusely and deeply for the great trouble we have caused,” Akihiko Ono, executive vice president of Mitsui OSK Lines said at a new conference in Tokyo. He added that the company would “do everything in their power to resolve the issue”. Also read: Mauritius declares environmental emergency after oil spill At least 1,000 tonnes of oil is estimated to have leaked from the ship onto the waters surrounding Mauritius. Some 500 tonnes of oil have been salvaged from the ship, but there are still 2,500 tonnes remaining on the ship. Neither Mitsui OSK Lines nor Nagashiki Shipping, the ship’s owner, could confirm the cost of damages from the oil spill. Japan will dispatch a six-person disaster relief team, on the request of the Mauritius government, to help with removing the spilt oil, according to a statement by the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Sunday. “We hope that this assistance will contribute to recovery of the environment of Mauritius and prevention of marine pollution,” the statement said. Also read: India exploring avenues to help Mauritius to deal with oil spill France was also sending specialist teams and equipment to Mauritius, once a French colony, to help deal with the spill. Mauritius declared a state of “environmental emergency” on Friday following the accident. Environmentalists fear the oil spill is the worst ecological disaster the island nation of Mauritius had seen, and would endanger its marine ecology and the pristine waters that attract tourists from around the globe. Mauritius, famous for its pristine beaches, is popular with tourists who last year contributed 63 billion Mauritius rupees ($1.6 billion) to the economy.

Grounded Mauritius ship operator apologises for oil leak

Refugee crisis is one of the most dangerous problems in today's world and climate change is a major cause for displacement of people.&nbsp;

Refugees are political hot potatoes and their stories are unfortunate. Imagine their plight and the kind of extremes they go to, at the risk of life.&nbsp;

According to the United Nations (UN), there are 13.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and other countries. Turkey wants to send them back to Syria, Erdogan threatens to send them to Europe.

Human weapons - that's what these displaced people have become. In India, we're debating the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and the fears over a refugee crisis.

We could go on, but here's the thing - refugees are already a massive problem and add to it, climate refugees.

What can and should we do about this? On WION Edit, that's what we discuss. Because prevention is always better than cure and the time to prevent climate change is fast running out.

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, natural disasters have left 18 million people homeless in 2017. This is more than 60 per cent of global displacements.

Furthermore, more than a billion people live in areas with 'very high' or 'high' climate change exposure. Eight conflict-ridden countries have 10 per cent people exposed to high climate change.

In a few years, most of them could become refugees and the magnitude is just a part of the problem. Climate change is a risk multiplier. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Natural disasters can trigger wars, conflicts and unrest. Peace and climate action are not standalone entities, they are related to each other directly.

So, it's not just the economic cost, the social cost of climate change can change the world as we know it and for the worse. Resource crunch is not a simple issue. Species have become extinct due to resource crunch and human beings, all said and done, are just another species.

So how do we prevent it? The answer lies in the question - who is trying to prevent it? 
&nbsp; 
Yes, several countries including India have taken steps, but these are baby steps, at best. Is climate change is a serious political issue anywhere in the world?

The political class is intent on continuing with the status quo and activists are scared about the future of humanity. Sadly, there has been no co-ordinated attempt to tackle climate change across the world. Yes, the wealthy, industrialised countries produce the bulk of carbon emissions.

And the developing and under-developed countries are paying the price, but when people ask questions - the leaders point fingers at each other.

Climate change has to become the number 1 election issue. Why? Because we are not equipped to handle the consequences of climate change.

India particularly needs to act faster than others. In five years, India is projected to become the world's most populated country.

If we face a refugee crisis, the society and economy will face huge risks. India has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, but are the environmental laws strong enough?

Are politicians making tangible promises matched by data to address the issue? This is an urgent crisis and the faster way to get governments to act is this&nbsp; - vote on the basis of climate action.

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world) 
&nbsp;

Refugee crisis is one of the most dangerous problems in today's world and climate change is a major cause for displacement of people. Refugees are political hot potatoes and their stories are unfortunate.

Refugee crisis is one of the most dangerous problems in today's world and climate change is a major cause for displacement of people. Refugees are political hot potatoes and their stories are unfortunate. Imagine their plight and the kind of extremes they go to, at the risk of life. According to the United Nations (UN), there are 13.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and other countries. Turkey wants to send them back to Syria, Erdogan threatens to send them to Europe. Human weapons - that's what these displaced people have become. In India, we're debating the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and the fears over a refugee crisis. We could go on, but here's the thing - refugees are already a massive problem and add to it, climate refugees. What can and should we do about this? On WION Edit, that's what we discuss. Because prevention is always better than cure and the time to prevent climate change is fast running out. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, natural disasters have left 18 million people homeless in 2017. This is more than 60 per cent of global displacements. Furthermore, more than a billion people live in areas with 'very high' or 'high' climate change exposure. Eight conflict-ridden countries have 10 per cent people exposed to high climate change. In a few years, most of them could become refugees and the magnitude is just a part of the problem. Climate change is a risk multiplier. Natural disasters can trigger wars, conflicts and unrest. Peace and climate action are not standalone entities, they are related to each other directly. So, it's not just the economic cost, the social cost of climate change can change the world as we know it and for the worse. Resource crunch is not a simple issue. Species have become extinct due to resource crunch and human beings, all said and done, are just another species. So how do we prevent it? The answer lies in the question - who is trying to prevent it? Yes, several countries including India have taken steps, but these are baby steps, at best. Is climate change is a serious political issue anywhere in the world? The political class is intent on continuing with the status quo and activists are scared about the future of humanity. Sadly, there has been no co-ordinated attempt to tackle climate change across the world. Yes, the wealthy, industrialised countries produce the bulk of carbon emissions. And the developing and under-developed countries are paying the price, but when people ask questions - the leaders point fingers at each other. Climate change has to become the number 1 election issue. Why? Because we are not equipped to handle the consequences of climate change. India particularly needs to act faster than others. In five years, India is projected to become the world's most populated country. If we face a refugee crisis, the society and economy will face huge risks. India has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, but are the environmental laws strong enough? Are politicians making tangible promises matched by data to address the issue? This is an urgent crisis and the faster way to get governments to act is this - vote on the basis of climate action. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Need to make climate action an election issue

Thousands of&nbsp;climate-change&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;took to the&nbsp;streets&nbsp;in cities&nbsp;around&nbsp;the&nbsp;world&nbsp;on Monday, launching two weeks of peaceful civil disobedience to demand immediate action to cut carbon emissions and avert an ecological disaster.

In London, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-change-protests-kicks-off-central-london-254315">police arrested 276 activists </a>from the Extinction Rebellion group as they&nbsp;blocked bridges and roads in the city center, and glued themselves to cars, while&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;in Berlin halted traffic at the Victory Column roundabout.

Dutch police stepped in to arrest more than 100&nbsp;climate&nbsp;activists&nbsp;blocking a street in front of the country's national museum and there were similar protests in Austria, Australia, France, Spain, and New Zealand.

"SORRY that we&nbsp;blocked the road, but this is an emergency," declared placards held by activists in Amsterdam.

In New York's financial district,&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;spattered the Wall Street Bull and themselves with fake blood and lay prone&nbsp;around&nbsp;the sculpture to evoke their fears of a deadly environmental catastrophe.

The protests are the latest stage in an global campaign for tougher and swifter steps against&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change coordinated by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-climate-activists-kick-off-global-extinction-rebellion-protests-254022">Extinction Rebellion</a>, which rose to prominence in April when it snarled traffic in central London for 11 days.

Last month, millions of young people flooded onto the&nbsp;streets&nbsp;of cities&nbsp;around&nbsp;the&nbsp;world, inspired to take action by 16-year-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-how-dare-you-greta-thunberg-thunders-at-world-leaders-at-united-nations-251573">Swedish activist Greta Thunberg</a>.

Extinction Rebellion says it expects peaceful protests over the next two weeks in more than 60 cities from New Delhi to New York calling on governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025 and halt a loss of biodiversity.

Banging drums and chanting,&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;in London took over Trafalgar Square and marched down the Mall, the avenue that leads to Buckingham Palace. They carried banners with slogans including "Climate&nbsp;change denies our children a future unless we act now".

"We're here because the government is not doing enough on the&nbsp;climate&nbsp;emergency," protester Lizzy Mansfield said. "We only get one planet and so we're here to try and defend it."

Police chiefs said last week they would mobilise thousands of officers to handle the protests in London and that anyone who broke the law, even as part of non-violent civil disobedience, would be arrested.

On Saturday, officers used a battering ram to enter a building in south London where activists had been storing materials to use during the protests. Eight people were arrested during the raid.

Defying almost freezing temperatures in Berlin, activists singing "Solid as a rock, rooted as a tree" gathered at dawn at the Victory Column roundabout near Tiergarten park.

At sunrise, some were sleeping in insulated bags in the middle of the roundabout as police on motorbikes drove by. No arrests were made and the protest remained peaceful.

Police&nbsp;blocked the five avenues that converge on the roundabout to stop cars and buses reaching the demonstration, as this would have resulted in traffic chaos during rush hour.

By midday, the protest had swelled to 4,000 people, a policeman said, and a second main roundabout was also&nbsp;blocked by activists sitting in the middle of the road.

Police began removing chanting&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;from Berlin's Potsdamer Platz later in the day after they had occupied the central artery for much of the day, singing, making speeches and fashioning a makeshift camp out of salvaged armchairs and tents.

The rallies came as German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended&nbsp;climate&nbsp;protection measures her government is due to approve on Wednesday but which critics have condemned as unambitious.

In Amsterdam, police were lining up empty city buses to take the arrested demonstrators away as they tried to clear a major thoroughfare in the afternoon.

"The&nbsp;climate&nbsp;crisis is not being taken seriously enough by politics, and also not by the companies. That's why I joined," said one demonstrator, who gave his name as Christiaan.

Meanwhile activists in London, some wearing yellow safety helmets with "Rebel at Work" painted on the side, glued or chained themselves to cars parked in the middle of roads or to street lamps, making it hard for police officers to detain them.

"We are out of time, there is none left, we have to act now," said a protester called Benjamin.

In central Paris, dozens of Extinction Rebellion activists&nbsp;blocked a street and bridge in the Chatelet district. They also built temporary shelters or held impromptu concerts and workshops in a good-natured atmosphere.

"This is clearly non-violent, it is human, we are not here with guns, we are here as human beings," protester Francoise Loiseau said.

With events like extreme weather, thawing permafrost and a sea-level rise unfolding much faster than expected, scientists say the urgency of the&nbsp;climate&nbsp;crisis has intensified since the signing in 2015 of the Paris accord on curbing global warming.

Nearly 70 countries announced plans at a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-said-what-at-united-nations-climate-summit-251604">U.N.&nbsp;climate&nbsp;action summit</a> last month to beef up their Paris pledges, but most major economies including the United States and China failed to announce stronger new measures.

Thousands of climate-change protesters took to the streets in cities around the world on Monday, launching two weeks of peaceful civil disobedience to demand immediate action to cut carbon emissions and avert an ecological disaster.

Thousands of climate-change protesters took to the streets in cities around the world on Monday, launching two weeks of peaceful civil disobedience to demand immediate action to cut carbon emissions and avert an ecological disaster. In London, police arrested 276 activists from the Extinction Rebellion group as they blocked bridges and roads in the city center, and glued themselves to cars, while protesters in Berlin halted traffic at the Victory Column roundabout. Dutch police stepped in to arrest more than 100 climate activists blocking a street in front of the country's national museum and there were similar protests in Austria, Australia, France, Spain, and New Zealand. "SORRY that we blocked the road, but this is an emergency," declared placards held by activists in Amsterdam. In New York's financial district, protesters spattered the Wall Street Bull and themselves with fake blood and lay prone around the sculpture to evoke their fears of a deadly environmental catastrophe. The protests are the latest stage in an global campaign for tougher and swifter steps against climate change coordinated by Extinction Rebellion, which rose to prominence in April when it snarled traffic in central London for 11 days. Last month, millions of young people flooded onto the streets of cities around the world, inspired to take action by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Extinction Rebellion says it expects peaceful protests over the next two weeks in more than 60 cities from New Delhi to New York calling on governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025 and halt a loss of biodiversity. Banging drums and chanting, protesters in London took over Trafalgar Square and marched down the Mall, the avenue that leads to Buckingham Palace. They carried banners with slogans including "Climate change denies our children a future unless we act now". "We're here because the government is not doing enough on the climate emergency," protester Lizzy Mansfield said. "We only get one planet and so we're here to try and defend it." Police chiefs said last week they would mobilise thousands of officers to handle the protests in London and that anyone who broke the law, even as part of non-violent civil disobedience, would be arrested. On Saturday, officers used a battering ram to enter a building in south London where activists had been storing materials to use during the protests. Eight people were arrested during the raid. Defying almost freezing temperatures in Berlin, activists singing "Solid as a rock, rooted as a tree" gathered at dawn at the Victory Column roundabout near Tiergarten park. At sunrise, some were sleeping in insulated bags in the middle of the roundabout as police on motorbikes drove by. No arrests were made and the protest remained peaceful. Police blocked the five avenues that converge on the roundabout to stop cars and buses reaching the demonstration, as this would have resulted in traffic chaos during rush hour. By midday, the protest had swelled to 4,000 people, a policeman said, and a second main roundabout was also blocked by activists sitting in the middle of the road. Police began removing chanting protesters from Berlin's Potsdamer Platz later in the day after they had occupied the central artery for much of the day, singing, making speeches and fashioning a makeshift camp out of salvaged armchairs and tents. The rallies came as German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended climate protection measures her government is due to approve on Wednesday but which critics have condemned as unambitious. In Amsterdam, police were lining up empty city buses to take the arrested demonstrators away as they tried to clear a major thoroughfare in the afternoon. "The climate crisis is not being taken seriously enough by politics, and also not by the companies. That's why I joined," said one demonstrator, who gave his name as Christiaan. Meanwhile activists in London, some wearing yellow safety helmets with "Rebel at Work" painted on the side, glued or chained themselves to cars parked in the middle of roads or to street lamps, making it hard for police officers to detain them. "We are out of time, there is none left, we have to act now," said a protester called Benjamin. In central Paris, dozens of Extinction Rebellion activists blocked a street and bridge in the Chatelet district. They also built temporary shelters or held impromptu concerts and workshops in a good-natured atmosphere. "This is clearly non-violent, it is human, we are not here with guns, we are here as human beings," protester Francoise Loiseau said. With events like extreme weather, thawing permafrost and a sea-level rise unfolding much faster than expected, scientists say the urgency of the climate crisis has intensified since the signing in 2015 of the Paris accord on curbing global warming. Nearly 70 countries announced plans at a U.N. climate action summit last month to beef up their Paris pledges, but most major economies including the United States and China failed to announce stronger new measures.

'Sorry, this is an emergency': Climate protesters block streets around the world

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