by Yasmin ParodiIn a desperate attempt to slow the rise in global temperature, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called world leaders to the 2014 Climate Summit on Sept. 23rd. He urged leaders to bring forward bold announcements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.More than 400,000 people joined the People’s Climate March in New York City, the largest ever recorded on this issue. The streets near Central Park began to fill early Sunday morning, with individuals from all walks of life, from indigenous leaders to interfaith groups, scientists, students, families, agriculture workers and celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo - to show world leaders that the public is united in it's call for solutions.2,646 events occurred simultaneously in 162 countries around the world. 300 people from Toronto rode overnight busses organized by Toronto350.org, a local climate action group.Connor Allaby, a local resident of the Jane and Finch community said: “the political response has been negligible”.“I think the message of system change not climate change is important to convey, because it speaks to social as well as environmental concerns, in how the system exploits people and the environment for profit,” Allaby said.Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, did not attend the summit although he attended other meeting in New York that week. "I think so many Canadians are here because we're so fed up with the way things are going in Canada. We are the source of the tar sands, which has just been such a destructive project for the climate and for local environment and indigenous people," said Aaron Saad, a graduate student and part of the group from Toronto who attended the march.