Groups expect big global climate protest amid union support

BERLIN (AP) - Civil society groups say they expect hundreds of thousands of people to join a worldwide protest for climate action Friday.

Environmental activists, trade unions and church groups in Germany said Monday that more than 400 rallies are planned in the country alone.

The protest, billed as a "global climate strike," is also expected to see events in Australia, Japan, India, South Africa, Britain the United States and dozens of other countries.

It's partly inspired by the activism of Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who has staged weekly demonstrations over the past year calling on world leaders to step up efforts against global warming.

The demonstrations take place days before a U.N. climate summit in New York at which heads of government will present their long-term plans for curbing greenhouse gas emissions.