Climate change protesters gather near coal giant Peabody in downtown St. Louis Friday

limate change protesters marched and chanted in downtown St. Louis midday Friday in front of the headquarters for Peabody, one of the largest private-sector coal producers in the world.

“Phase out fossil fuels … save our future,” the group of roughly 30 people chanted near the Citygarden Sculpture Park at Eighth and Market streets.

Ken Denson, who lives in Chesterfield, is the co-leader of the 350 STL advocacy group that tackles climate issues. “Everybody knows fossil fuels are going away eventually,” he said. “What we are saying is that they have to go away as soon as possible.