HARI SREENIVASAN:

There were hundreds of coordinated marches and events today in more than 90 countries to demand action on the issue of climate change. Tens of thousands of people took part in the events. Time to call attention to both an international global climate action summit taking place next week in California and to the mid-term elections in November in the United States.

There were more than 250 events planned. One of the largest was in San Francisco where organizers focused on what they see as a lack of progress on climate issues at the federal level and call for more action at the state and local levels. Joining us now from San Francisco via Skype is May Bouve, executive director of 350.org, the lead organization for today's events. What's the message that you're trying to get out there today?