World leaders in Paris for climate-rescue summit

World leaders launched a whirlwind day of talks in the French capital on Nov. 30 aimed at forging an elusive agreement to stave off calamitous global warming.

The summit kicks off nearly a fortnight of talks intended to end two decades of international bickering with a pact that would limit emissions of the greenhouse gases blamed for climate change.
 
About 150 world leaders, including from the United States, China, India and Russia, converged in a northern Paris venue bristling with security following this month's terror attacks in the French capital.
 
Scientists warn that, unless action is taken soon, mankind will endure ever-worsening catastrophic events, such as droughts that will lead to conflict and rising sea levels that will wipe out low-lying island nations.
 
Negotiators have also vowed to forge an ambitious deal to honour the 130 people killed in the Nov. 13 attacks that were claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.
 
"The fate of humanity is at stake in this conference. After the attacks in France, we have to deal with the urgent priorities and respond to the terrorist challenge but also act for the long term," French President Francois Hollande said.
 
In an interview with French daily newspaper "20 minutes", Hollande said leaders would meet in Paris "to reaffirm their solidarity with France" and to "assume their responsibilities in the face of the warming of the planet".
 
"History will judge the heads of state and government harshly if, in December 2015, they miss this opportunity."  

Hollande arrived at the venue early Nov. 30 to welcome the leaders, first meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The summit is scheduled to open at 1000 am ...