As COP 21 opens, UN Secretary General tells world leaders Paris must mark a decisive turning point

US President Barack Obama join other world leaders for a photo at the climate conference. Photo credit: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
US President Barack Obama join other world leaders for a photo at the climate conference. Photo credit: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters

PARIS, France, Nov 30 2015, CNS – The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) opened here Monday with an unprecedented 150 world leaders present. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called on the Presidents, Prime Ministers and Heads of States to deliver a universal, meaningful and robust agreement.

“You are here today to write a script for a new future; a future of hope and promise, of increased prosperity, security and dignity for all,” Ban said in his opening address.

He noted that the national climate plans submitted by more than 180 countries ahead of the summit cover close to 100 percent of global emissions.

“This is a very good start but we need to go much faster, much further if we are to limit the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius,” the UN Secretary General said.

“The science has made it plainly clear even a 2 degrees Celsius rise will have serious consequences for food and water security, economic stability and international peace and security. That is why we need a universal, meaningful and robust agreement here in Paris.”

Negotiators from the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are intent on striking a deal to keep the global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees of pre-industrial levels.

Across the region over the past several weeks, countries have been rolling out their “1.5 to Stay Alive” Campaign to raise awareness about the effects of climate change, while building momentum for the region’s negotiating position at COP21.

Several Caribbean leaders – including Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda; Perry Christie of The Bahamas; Freundel Stuart of Barbados; Dr. Keith Mitchell of Grenada; Dr. Timothy Harris of St. Kitts and Nevis; and Dr. Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia were present at today’s opening.

“We have never faced such a test. A political momentum like this might not come again. Neither have we encountered such a great opportunity,” Ban told the leaders.
“You have the power to secure the wellbeing of this and succeeding generations. I urge you to use up your ministers and negotiators to choose the path of compromise and consensus and if necessary, flexibility.

“Bold climate action is in the national interest of every single country represented at this conference. The time for brinksmanship is over. Let us build a durable climate regime with a clear rule of the road that all countries can agree to follow. Paris must mark a decisive turning point. We need the world to know that we are headed to a low emissions, climate resilient future and there is no going back,” Ban added.

The host of COP21, French President François Hollande, said he has been travelling to small countries which are the worst affected by climate change and he wants to be their voice “because biodiversity and the very diversity of our planet are at stake.

“From this we can conclude that the agreement must be universal, differentiated and binding.”

Hollande met with Caribbean leaders in Martinique in May following which Secretary-General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dr. Didacus Jules said it was unprecedented given that France would be the chair of COP21.

“He (President Hollande) wants this to be a success and used the opportunity to champion the voices of small island states given the French Republic’s presence in the OECS. We felt that it was really a useful forum for having the voice of the Caribbean in this wider sense heard,” Jules said then.

“That’s one of the reasons that we are now pressing hard with the French authorities to champion the cause of small island states so that the larger countries, those who are the biggest causes of the impacts on the environment take heed to what the scientists are saying.”

Noting that an agreement must be reached in Paris on December 12, President Hollande said developed countries must take responsibility.

“They are the ones who for years emitted the largest amounts of greenhouse gasses,” he said.

“Emerging countries must accelerate their energy transition and developing countries must be supported in adapting to the impacts of climate change hence the need to release and secure financing to promote technology transfer.

“The third condition for an agreement in Paris is that all our societies in their vast plurality and diversity get moving. All local leaders, investors, economic and social actors, citizens, religions, all those who contribute to forming the global public mindset; all of these actors must understand that things have changed. This is the key to overcoming this climate challenge,” the French President said.

Mr. Hollande said to resolve the climate crisis, good wishes and declarations of intent will not be enough.

“We are on the brink of a breaking point. Paris must be the start of a far reaching change. We can no longer consider nature as a commonplace inexhaustible pool of resources there for us to use as we wish,” he said.

“On this first day of the conference we are up against a challenge. This challenge is the sum of our selfishness out perceptions, our resignation. This challenge is built on indifference and powerlessness, but it is not insurmountable.

“Everything depends on us. The hope of all humanity rests on your shoulders. This is why we have met. This is why Paris is an exceptional occasion. We are going to decide in a few days the future for several decades. The greatest danger is not that we aim too high and we miss. The greatest danger is that we aim too low and that we hit it,” Mr. Hollande added.

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19 Comments

  1. 4-cars
    December 5, 2015

    This is a fantastic photo without you scare it.

  2. J.John-Charles
    December 1, 2015

    They first called it global warming, but being caught lying to themselves.They gave it a new name CLIMATE CHANGE.Al Gore once predicted the sea coast will be eaten up because of global warming yet he bought a mansion just by the sea 4 almost us$9 million.He said by 2013 there will be no more ice at the north pole.
    Not too long ago the big boys met in Davos, and one of the item on the agenda was climate change.So you would expect them to travel on commercial airlines so that there would be less pollution,but no,they used their private jets about 1700,although some say it was a little less.
    Obama and others are telling us they want to saved the planet, because man is destroying it with pollution.This man is full of himself,I thought after his victory as president, creation would obey his voice.These are his words on June 2008.
    “This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.”
    After 7 yrs things still the…

    • Face the Facts
      December 1, 2015

      Obama does not have it in him to save the planet. He is not God. Note his initiation, legislation, agreement, encouragement and applauding of immorality.
      Global warming, climate change or not, the world will continue. The only thing, immorality in the land will be worst than it is today. This is what we should consider and have to fear.
      God is in control.

      • 4-cars
        December 5, 2015

        Fat facts, You surprise me! God made us the stewards of this planet where we live. Just as he told Adam and Eve in the garden. I guess you throw your trash and garbage in your own yard. Why do you think that there are huge fines for illegal dumping, oil spills, and other forms of disregard for human health and the planet? Obama is not a savior; but we all must play our part in ensuring that we live in a clean safe environment. Walk up and down the Rivers in Dominica and you will see the amount of garbage the people are dumping in them. Also, all along our roads are strewn with old abandon vehicles. Between St. Joseph and Salisbury is a daily dumping ground for construction waste to household trash – And maybe human bodies too; Because the bushes are so damn high/tall along the roads, that you could dump a vehicle there and no one would notice. So, we too, have a big climate and environmental problem. If we do have an Environmental “officer” in Dominica, that person doesn’t know his…

  3. neg marron
    December 1, 2015

    more games from those political kids with there climate change ;;; its a shame to see governments around thee world planing bad things for people ;;;we are all visitors on this earth an am not enjoying my stay because of these toxic governments all over thee world :::: we come an meet planet earth there; an we will die an live it there

  4. neg marron
    December 1, 2015

    more games from those political kids with there climate change ;;; its a shame to see governments around thee world planing bad things for people ;;;we are all visitors on this earth an am not enjoying my stay because of these toxic governments all over thee world :::: we come an meet this planet there will die an live it there

  5. anonymous2
    November 30, 2015

    If you want to find out what the Bible really says get a copy of \’The Companion Bible\’ by Bullinger. Otherwise, you will never be able to figure out what it really says.

  6. anonymous2
    November 30, 2015

    The whole excuse of \’climate change\’ is a hoax. It is the excuse that the New World Order with its head, the United Nations is using to globally take over all of the countries of the world. Look out for WW III, it is coming soon. Too few people have awakened to the truth. My people perish for lack of knowledge. That is exactly what they lack and so the human experiment in enlightenment has failed……..yet again. And they will start over. That is why there are so many previous civilizations that have disappear. In the beginning there was the \’word\’. NO, In the beginning, it should have read, there was \”thought.\’ The Bible was written by certain people uon commission and ET\’s and it tells in stories of the demise of ccivilizations. God per se did not write the Bible. The King James version was commissioned by King James and put together by Francis Bacon. Time for the curtain to be pulled back to reveal the wizard.

  7. Face the Facts
    November 30, 2015

    I do not get concerned about global warming and climate change.
    It never ceases to amaze me, some of those people are godless and some institute immorality in their countries. They care not for God, do not give it a thought or reject it that God is The Creator of the world and He is in control from on high that, nothing happens if He does not allow it to happen for their own good but they are too blind and lack spiritual enlightenment to as much as give this a thought.
    God sees everything; misses nothing. He must be smiling and saying, “Watch them and listen to them. They think they own the world and can implement every sort of legislation, some immoral ones and concern themselves about global warming and climate change and not their souls and their eternal destiny.”
    It is said: “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” I love this one and usually pass it on, with a laugh. :lol: :lol: :lol:

  8. anonymous2
    November 30, 2015

    This is Agenda 21. Look out! Here come the carbon taxes and the further impoverishment of the ignorant people of the world and the further implementation of eugenics. This meeting should never have been allowed to take place. Isis is funded by the US with arms and money. Isis has now become renegade and out of control. But the controllers will not tell you that.

    • Real truth
      November 30, 2015

      AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • anonymous2
        November 30, 2015

        Don\’t say \’Amen\” because that refers to the sun god Amun Ra. And when you say that at the end of your prayers, you are paying homage and worshiping the Sun God. That is why you worship on Sunday. Get it? All religions worshipping on Sunday are worshipping the Sun God. Those worshipping on Saturdays are worshipping either the Moon God or Saturn. Nothing is the way that you think it is or were taught that is was. The truth is only revealed after it has been sought in earnest and it isn\’t easy to come by in this deceptive world.

  9. too late
    November 30, 2015

    Is that gaston browne in there in the back corner? I dont see roosvelt nuh

  10. Emile Zapatos
    November 30, 2015

    DNO, who is representing Dominica in Paris. For that matter who are the representatives from the Caricom countries. You must stop giving half news.

  11. negrerio
    November 30, 2015

    Who is Dominica´s delegate at this most important meeting?

  12. Music Producer
    November 30, 2015

    Pure nonsense, the earth cannot logically get hotter, when Antarctica has more than enough ice to cool the earth for eternity. The Earth is surrounded by ice, how can there be global warming? And which GLOBE are they talking about? Just another ploy to keep earth citizens in perpetual slavery by sucking every dollar from our pockets. As long as the oceans exist, the earth cannot get hotter! That’s a LIE!

    • anonymous2
      December 1, 2015

      They are the puppets of the controllers carrying out the virtual extinction of the human race. They have created weather weaponization and with their corporations, are the biggest polluters of planet earth. The world and the galaxy has been going through changes for thousands of years. Their whole agenda is a take over of planet earth and the elimination of 90% of the human race. Look at the Youtubes on \’Agenda 21 while they still are up.

  13. pm
    November 30, 2015

    Is my pm in attendance

    • anonymous2
      December 1, 2015

      Only the big players are invited to the summit.

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