ABOUT 350 people marched through Bendigo streets calling on leaders to take action on climate change at Bendigo’s Walk Against Warming at the weekend. The walk, organised by the Bendigo Sustainability Group, began at Rosalind Park, where walkers listened to speakers before heading off to march around the CBD.Walkers also had the opportunity to listen to guest speakers concerns about climate change to humanity at the Rosalind Park rotunda before they headed on the walk.This year’s Bendigo young citizen of the year, Nic Kimberley, addressed the crowd, as did local adventurer Linda Beilharz.Ms Beilharz spoke about her experience of being the first woman to ski from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole, while also explaining her new ambitions and concerns.“In the new year, I aim to be the first Australian woman to walk from the northern tip of Canada to the North Pole,” she said. “But it occurred to me that (because of melting sea ice), I might also be the last.” Bendigo Sustainability Group president Karen Corr told The Advertiser that she was pleased with the success of the walk. “Bendigo has really responded to this issue,” she said. “Ten days ago, only a few people knew about the Bendigo walk. “To have over 300 people there was fantastic - particularly at this time of year.“I think that is indicative of the level of concern about climate change in the community.”However, Ms Corr said she and fellow members of the Bendigo Sustainability Group hoped that their actions would encourage leaders to take more decisive action in response to climate change.“They need to acknowledge that we need to get below 350 parts per million of CO₂ in the atmosphere to avoid runaway climate change,” she said.In addition, Ms Corr explained that the peaceful demonstration allowed the group another opportunity to remind itself and the wider community about the importance of reducing their own carbon footprint.