The whole point of the People's Climate March was to convince world leader's that people what the politicians to meet the challenge of climate change head on.
300,000 marched through the streets of New York last Sunday in anticipation of the special meeting of leaders called by U.N. secretary general Ban Ki Moon for 2 days later.
President Obama even gave mention to the march in his speech at that meeting.
Ban Ki's intention was to add some momentum to the climate decision making process in the lead up to next year's meeting in Paris where we should get a final, international climate deal.
And it does appear that the U.S. and China finally seem to be getting the message: There is no negotiating with climate.
Both of them showed a new sense of realism and urgency. They appear to finally get the fact that it's getting late, and our generation holds the fate of all future generations in it's hands.
Unfortunately, it's a bit early to celebrate yet.
Firstly, a credible climate deal has yet to be agreed, and there are many sticking points to be worked through.
Secondly, politicians are famous for making promises they don't keep.
Thirdly, whatever Obama puts in place in his own country, can be overturned the next time a Republican gets into the Whitehouse: Because, as far as they're concerned, political dogma trumps anything else.
The only hope we have of a strong deal that get's carried out is if the people make it loud and clear that the politians have no choice but to listen to us for a change.
So, yeah, this week's been a promising one, but we need to keep the pressure up.
The People's Climate Marches have to get bigger and much louder. Our kids are depending on us.
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