Updated
Photo:
Protesters line Central Park West during a science demonstration on Earth Day in New York. (Reuters: Andrew Kelly)
Crowds have marched in more than 600 cities worldwide
for Earth Day events billed as a "celebration of science", amid growing
concern about US President Donald Trump's climate change scepticism and
cuts to research funding.
The marches, timed to coincide with
Earth Day, come after moves by Mr Trump to sharply cut federal science
and research budgets, including the Environmental Protection Agency and
the National Institutes of Health.Marchers around the world brandished placards saying "There is no Planet B", "Science not Silence" and "Make Science Great Again".
The main event took place in Washington, where March for Science festivities included "teach-ins," speeches by researchers and environmentalists, and musical performances on National Mall.
While the movement was started by scientists sceptical of the agenda of Mr Trump, the marches have quickly spread globally amid what people believe is growing scepticism from politicians and others on topics such as vaccinations, genetically modified organisms and evolution.
Marches were also held in Australia yesterday, in cities including in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Perth, Brisbane and Townsville.
Video: Australians rally across the country for the March for Science (ABC News)
'Science is critical', Trump says
Sarah Binkow, who marched in Washington, said "science isn't respected and it needs to be"."Being here definitely gives me hope that there's this overwhelming population that supports science and supports scientific theory," she said.Mr Trump released a statement on his approach to environmental issues.
"My administration is reducing unnecessary burdens on American workers and American companies, while being mindful that our actions must also protect the environment," Mr Trump said.
"Rigorous science is critical to my administration's efforts to achieve the twin goals of economic growth and environmental protection."
Protests held across Europe
Photo:
Another march was held by the small Norwegian research village of
Ny-Ålesund, on the island of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean. (Supplied: March for Science)
Scientists and supporters also gathered in a number of cities around the world, including London, Germany, France and Ireland.
Organisers said 11,000 people took part in an event in Berlin, which they said aimed to highlight the importance of science and evidence-based knowledge in democracies.
"We Berliners know from our own history what the repression of freedom means," mayor Michael Mueller told marchers."That is why we have a particular responsibility to mobilise for free science and an open and tolerant society."
In London, crowds gathered at the Science Museum to also show their support for science.
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