For Immediate Release				       Contact: [Name]
December 12, 2009						[Number mobile/cell]
Avaaz.org								[Email]

"WE WANT A REAL DEAL" SAY [COMMUNITY] RESIDENTS IN GLOBAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION 
Thousands of events in over 130 countries demand action from world leaders
[LOCATION]: December 12—People from around [YOUR CITY/AREA] gathered [at/outside LOCAL LANDMARK] today to [SHORT DESCRIPTION- eg. light candles and share stories from the front lines of climate change] as part of a worldwide day of action to avert climate catastrophe.
Participants joined thousands of communities holding candlelight vigils in over 130 countries to urge world leaders to deliver the 'real deal' the world needs. Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu and former UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson led a special vigil outside the climate negotiation headquarters in Copenhagen.
"People of [YOUR CITY/AREA] want a real deal," said [NAME] from [YOUR GROUP OR LOCALITY], a member of online campaign network Avaaz.org that coordinated the global action.
"We need a deal that is ambitious enough to leave a planet safe for us all. Fair for the poorest countries that didn't cause climate change but are suffering most from it. And binding with real targets that can be legally enforced," [s/he] added.
Ricken Patel Executive Director of Avaaz.org says “the day of action shows the huge level of public concern that climate negotiations are falling short of what's needed to avert climate catastrophe. Our leaders have heard from major corporations and big polluters for a long time. Today, finally, they heard from citizens. Reaching a real deal must now be their top priority."
The coordinated global day of action comes amid signs that negotiators will not reach a deal that is ambitious enough to meet the science, fair enough to help poorer nations deal with the effects of climate change, nor legally binding. 
Specifics of a 'real deal' are: a) Fair - $200 Billion in climate financing for poorer countries. b) Ambitious - a 2015 peak year for carbon emissions and a safe carbon level of 350 parts per million in the atmosphere. c) Binding - legally enforceable. 
Images of the day of action from around the world, including the rally in [YOUR CITY/AREA], will be shown at the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen.
[Insert text about your group and/or website - optional]
Avaaz.org is a global campaign network of 3.6 million citizens who take action for a more just and peaceful world. “Avaaz” means “Voice” in many languages. www.avaaz.org