Environmentalists have built an ark in Washington D.C.’s National Mall to highlight the threat of climate change.

Thousands of activists have been holding similar events around the world this weekend. They want world leaders to push for urgent action during the Climate Change Summit taking place in Copenhagen.

[Morgan Goodwin, Avaaz Organizer]:
"This action along with thousands around the world will send a message to our leaders and the U.S. Congress. They need to act much faster and with more ambition for tackling global warming."

Demonstrators wrote messages on the ark itself expressing their hopes for the summit's outcome.

[Danny Berchenko, Demonstrator]:
"We want a real deal. We want to see them lead and fight for a strong treaty over there."

The ark will remain on the mall until Friday, when the climate summit ends.