Thousands of activists took to the streets on Saturday to protest against global warming in Canada's Montreal, where a 10-day long UN conference on climate change entered into its 6th day.

Environment Minister of Quebec province Thomas Muclair, Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe were among the politicians who joined the rally, reports reaching here said.

"I am here today to show the public that we (the government) are with them," said Muclair, who was among those at the head of the parade.

The rally in Montreal is expected to be the largest in more than 30 countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Bangladesh, Brazil, Australia and South Africa.

The demonstrations coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference that is underway in Montreal until Dec. 9, where delegates from more than 180 countries are to discuss meeting emission targets and what to do in seven years when the Kyoto accord expires.

The Kyoto Protocol, which came into force earlier this year, requires industrialized nations to lower greenhouse gas emissions and targets carbon dioxide and five other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, and are believed to be behind rising global temperatures that many scientists say are disrupting weather patterns.

The United States, the world's largest emitter of such gases, has refused to ratify the agreement, saying it would harm the US economy and is flawed by the lack of restrictions on emissions by emerging economies such as China and India.

Observers say the coming days of the conference will see delicate negotiations to find a way to bring the United States into talks about future action on global warming, without asking them to commit to firm deadlines.

Local media reported that five environmental groups, including Greenpeace and the Climate Crisis Coalition, intend to deliver a petition to the US consulate in Montreal.

The petition, signed by 600,000 Americans, calls on the Bush administration and the US Congress to help put a stop to global warming.

Source: Xinhua