The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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Jan 2016 back issue
by Sean Hawkey
The Paris Agreement was signed by nearly 200 countries, but climate campaigners warn that it is so weak that it will
lead to a 3.7 degree rise in temperature which will be catastrophic for the human species, as agriculture is already
unpredictable and failing at 0.8 degree rise and increasing extreme weather events are causing widespread disasters.
Ambition needs to be ratcheted up fast to keep the temperature rise below 1.5 degrees.
The weekend before the opening of the UN climate talks COP21 in Paris there were marches to support urgent action
on climate change in cities across the world.
The biggest march was planned for Paris and around two million people were expected to turn out. People from all
over the world had planned to arrive in Paris to show their support for an ambitious agreement for the reduction of
emissions.
When the French government banned all public demonstrations and marches, on security grounds after the terrorist
attacks in Paris, millions were frustrated at being unable to make a massive show of public opinion.
But not all campaigners and activists were willing to be silenced so easily.
A symbolic demonstration was made at the Place de la Republique in Paris, where pairs of shoes were sent to
represent people who were unable to march. Pope Francis sent a pair of his shoes.
As people gathered so did the CRS, the French riot police, and friction turned to confrontations and nearly 300 people
were arrested. Sentencing of those arrested for public disorder offences began recently, with sentences of six months.
On the eve of the opening of the talks, demonstrators gathered in the Place de la Republique in Paris. Frustrated at
the planned climate march being banned symbolic actions were carried out, including the placing of pairs of shoes for
people who weren't allowed to demonstrate, these included shoes from Pope Francis.
The UN climate talks called COP21 were held in Paris. On the eve of the opening of the event, demonstrators
gathered in the Place de la Republique in Paris. Frustrated at the planned climate march being banned. Riot police
were brought in to ensure the march didn't happen and some confrontations ensued.
On the eve of the opening of the event, demonstrators gathered in the Place de la Republique in Paris.
Demonstrators gathered in the Place de la Republique.
Riot police gathered in the Place de la Republique.
Clashes between demonstrators and riot police ensued.
