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Fresh protests held on sidelines of Paris climate conference

A file photo of environmental activists clashing with riot police in the French capital of Paris ahead of the World Climate Change Conference 2015

Environmental activists have held new rallies during an ongoing UN climate conference in the French capital of Paris despite a ban on demonstrations in France.

As an act of protest in the French capital on Friday, activists wearing baby clothes and bibs called on the negotiators at the UN climate change discussions to reach a “grown-up” accord to slash man-made emissions affecting the climate.

Protesters affiliated with a group known as Avaaz used over-sized baby blocks to spell out “100 Percent Clean” on the pavement at the venue of the talks just outside of Paris.

The conference is due to go on through December 11, as delegates continue to bargain over the final wording of a draft accord.

In a separate protest bid, environmental activists staged a “die-in” at the site of the talks, collapsing onto the pavement to symbolize the at-risk populations that are threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather caused by man-made global warming.

Climate change activists during a protest outside BNP Paribas in Paris. (File photo)

Organizers said participants were protesting against corporate sponsors of the event, while they also advocate production of genetically-modified foods, privatized water and biofuels. 

The activists shouted slogans such as “Climate justice now!” as some of them lied on the ground while others stood up holding photos of people from impoverished countries that are feeling the consequences of global warming.

The protesters demand an ultimate worldwide climate agreement that includes pledges of aid for the losses and damage caused by global warming.

One hundred and ninety six delegates came together this week at the UN event in a bid to adopt measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist poor nations to adjust to climate change. However, tensions persist over how much the efforts will cost.

Meanwhile, press reports indicate that more than 2,100 acts of protest have been waged worldwide, with estimates of up to 570,000 people participating in them, during the conference.

The protests in Paris are held despite a ban on demonstrations under a state of emergency following November 13 terrorist attacks in the French capital.


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