A cast of celebrities and more than 500 people welcomed the Cut the Carbon march to the Welsh capital in a spectacular of song and stirring speeches.
As Rhythms of the City samba band set the beat, hundreds of supporters walked and danced the last mile to Cooper’s Field with the 20 marchers on Saturday, 8 September.
At the rally, actress Greta Scacchi, star of such movies as The Player and White Mischief, said: ‘I felt very proud to be marching today with these wonderful, brave heroes. I just think it’s a wonderful display of conviction for 20 people to walk 700 miles, already.
She added: ‘This is the time to galvanise our efforts. I think change is going to happen.’
BBC Radio 1’s Bethan Elfyn and Maggot from the band Goldie Lookin’ Chain then introduced the walkers onto the stage.
Cardiff marcher John Rowlands got a huge cheer when he told the crowd: ‘I’m proud to be the Welsh representative on the march.’
‘I made a decision to walk 1,000 miles in solidarity with people in poor countries,’ he added. ‘They are already suffering from the effects of climate change.
‘They have no choice – but we can choose to make a better world for all by reducing our carbon emissions.’
Songs in the key of life
After an explosive set from Swansea metal band Viva Machine, Brazilian marcher Geanis Cosme dos Santos spoke to the crowd about the threat posed to her country’s environment by commercial eucalyptus growth.
Welsh folk singer Gwyneth Glyn sang Winter’s Early, written especially for the Cut the Carbon march, and Terra Naomi ended the rally with Say It's Possible - the song that led Al Gore to ask her to perform at the global environmental concert, Live Earth (see that performance here).