On the big summit planned for November 29 in Paris, the organizers from 130 non-governmental organizations were hoping to draw in big crowds, speculating a carnival-like event that would put vast pressure on the world leaders to take conclusive action to curtail the issue of global warming.
Advertisement
“The tragedy in Paris has only strengthened our resolve”, said Nicolas Haeringer, France campaigner for the climate advocacy group 350.org.
French police “have just barred the huge planned marches and protests, effectively silencing the voices of people who are directly affected by these high-level talks”, climatologist Jason Box and 350.org’s Naomi Klein said in a New Yorker op-ed. “However, we are more determined than ever to make our voices heard on climate justice and throughout both weeks”.
The global warming movement is reeling in the aftermath of last week’s horrific terrorist attack in Paris – because it threatens to step on its message ahead of the much-anticipated United Nations climate change summit in the French capital.
‘We do not expect, under any of the possible outcomes, that the world will do a U-turn on clean energy investment trends after COP21 and return to investing more in fossil fuel power than it does in clean energy, ‘ said Deputy CEO Erwin Jackson, who is attending the negotiations planned for 30 November to 11 December.
The climate talks themselves will take place at a secured venue in the Le Bourget section of Paris, in the northeast suburbs near Charles De Gaulle airport, about five miles away from where most of the attacks took place last week. AFP has reported that an estimated 5,000 security officials would have been needed to police the Paris march the day before the talks start.
“On 29 November, the day before world leaders converge in Paris, people will come together again in the streets for the global People’s Climate March – the largest climate change mobilization in history”.
For more, we’re going directly to Paris to Alix Mazounie, the worldwide policies coordinator at Climate Action Network France.
On Tuesday, a representative of Climate Coalition 21 that is organizing the march, said consultation with authorities was continuing in the hope that the event can go ahead, and “we will continue to ensure the security of all participants is guaranteed”.
Bray, Co Wicklow was the location for a unique Climate Change event on Friday (20th November) hosted by Seán Kelly MEP on the importance of achieving a global deal to reduce carbon emissions in Paris next month. Mainstream activists say they will follow the government’s call, specifically the ban on rallies, should the state of emergency extend throughout the time of the conference.
“We fully share their concerns about public safety – just as we fully oppose any unnecessary crackdowns on civil liberties and minority populations”, he said.
Advertisement
The news service points to a March study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that claims drought and man-made climate change may be among the underlying causes of the conflict in Syria.
