The rally was timed to coincide with rallies around the world, as the United Nations (UN) prepared to meet in New York to discuss climate change.

Those talks have commenced, with the UN yesterday calling on the world’s nations to curb their use of coal, a major contributor to global warming.

South Durras environmentalist John Perkins attended the Moruya rally and said 120 people attended, but some had dispersed before the photograph above was taken.

Carrying signs such as “there is no planet B”, participants marched from River

side Park to the Moruya Anglican Church.

Some returned to the park, where this picture was taken.

“It was a good turn-out for a small country town,” Mr Perkins said.

“There was a collective feeling that the rally participants wanted to send a signal to Canberra, to Tony Abbott, that they are very worried about the consequences of climate change.

“They are worried not only for themselves, but for their children.

“The collective action was to try and have their feelings heard.”

He said the international multi-faith events were designed to “send a message loud and clear in New York”.

Mr Perkins said, even in the current terrorist climate, Mr Abbott should have attended the summit in New York.

He said the gathering had a sense of “solidarity to get the message out, that coal is on the way out”.

“There is a collective action here and overseas to invest in industries that are not so damaging.”

He supported the United Nations’ call on Tuesday for nations to reduce their reliance on coal.

“It may seem like a good call, but it is an essential call,” he said.

“It is the only way we are going to turn around carbon emissions from fossil fuels.”