Paris, November 30 (RHC)-- More than half a million people took part in rallies around the world ahead of today’s opening of the 21st United Nations Climate Change Summit.

More than 2,400 events around the world took place this weekend, with demonstrators calling for a major shift in climate change policies.

World leaders began arriving in Paris over the weekend for the summit that will continue for two weeks of negotiations aimed at reaching an accord on global warming.

In London, tens of thousands of protesters gathered to call for change. Protesters blame Western leaders for failing to do enough to tackle the crucial issue affecting the world today.

Demonstrators gathered in Asia, Africa and Latin America to call on their local representatives to push for a bold international agreement at the summit in Paris.