With various events and forums on sustainable development taking over Rio de Janeiro for Rio+20, protesters took the opportunity to demonstrate over the weekend against fossil fuel exploitation.
Activists laid out a giant one trillion dollar note on Rio's famed Copacabana Beach, saying that governments spend over a trillion a year on fossil fuel subsidies.
The organisation 350.org, which calls itself a "global movement to solve the climate crisis", led the protest. According to the organisers, they targeted Rio during the Rio+20 summit to draw the attention of world leaders.
Jamie Henn, the Communication Director for 350.0rg, said governments need to change their ways.
"We are here today calling on world leaders to end fossil fuel subsides. Every year, governments give over a trillion dollars to the fossil fuel industry (while) they should be putting that money on sustainable development and clean energy technologies," he said.
Teacher Luciane Menegaz said not enough is being done for the long-term.
"There will be a day when our children, our grandchildren, will not have a future. The water is ending, the oceans are dirty, the rivers are polluted and we are asleep," she said.
The Rio+20 summit is expected to attract participants from governments, companies and environmental and lobby groups in an attempt to set new goals across seven core themes including food security, water and energy.
3 News / Reuters