Why 400,000 People Marched For Climate Change Action

Climate activists filled the streets of New York City today for the People's Climate March.

People came from across the country and around the world to support meaningful action on climate change just days before world leaders assemble for the UN climate summit. Initial counts estimated march attendance at more than 400,000 people, three times the number predicted by organizers before the event.

The march included representatives from over 1,500 organizations, including students, scientists, faith groups, labor unions, businesses, environmental groups and more.

We talked to just a few participants and asked them to share why they came to march today. The answers we got were inspiring, unique and powerful.

Harry, Rochester, New York

"From the Earthsavers, Philippines, UNESCO Artist For Peace -- We have to conscienticize the world leaders to agree on the global deal for survivial and keep a safe healthy planet for our children. We are battered by supertyphoons -- and we must stop the madness of carbon pollution!" Cecile, Philippines

Lydia, Syracuse, New York

Rhea, Onondaga Nation

Lucia, New Jersey

"Save Mother Earth." Byron, Guatemala.

Stephanie, Brooklyn

John, West Virginia

Allison, Brooklyn

Joe, Brooklyn

Leonard, Upstate New York

Mikael, Evanston Illinois

David, Pennsylvania

Polly, Pennsylvania

"Because I live here." Camilo, Brooklyn

Karkehron, Mohawk Nation

Addie, Rochester, New York

Christine, Maine

This blog post is part of the #WhyICare blog series, curated by the editors of HuffPost Generation Change in recognition of the People's Climate March in New York City on September 21, 2014. To see all the other posts in the series, click here.

Join the conversation on Twitter and tell us why you care about the climate crisis with the hashtags #WhyICare and #PCM. For more information about the People's Climate March, click here.

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