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             At UN Climate Summit in Peru, Protests Take Spotlight

   by Zlatica Hoke

   As a two-week climate summit concluded in Lima, Peru, long-running
   divisions between rich and poor countries continued to hamper agreement
   on a global treaty to reduce carbon emissions. Developing countries
   insist the wealthy ones must bear the cost of fighting climate change.

   And while delegates from more than 190 countries were making last-ditch
   efforts to hammer out a draft for a new treaty for next year's climate
   conference in Paris, activists organized several protests Friday in
   Lima, claiming at least some of the media spotlight.

   Oxfam, an international organization fighting poverty, staged a
   demonstration with activists depicting international leaders in a
   lifeboat.

   "It is a representation of the presidents of developed countries and
   countries that must assume commitments and obligations urgently to
   reduce their emissions to fight climate change," said Alejandra Alyza,
   an Oxfam spokeswoman.

   ''

   ''China, India, Japan, Russia and the United States account for about
   60 percent of the world's carbon emissions.

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking Thursday in Lima,
   acknowledged their responsibility. But, he noted, "More than half of
   global emissions - more than half - are coming from developing nations.
   So it is imperative that they act, too."

   Deaths attributed to climate change

   Near the climate talks' venue, about 100 people lay on the ground to
   represent those already dying in poor countries because of climate
   change.

   "The people in my country, my brothers and sisters in the Philippines,
   are dying as governments here discuss the fate of my people and the
   people of this world," said Gerard Arances of the Philippine Movement
   for Climate Justice.

   Greenpeace International, known for its bold actions to help protect
   the planet, caused a new controversy earlier this week when its
   activists placed their message at Peru's UNESCO World Heritage Sites in
   Nazca Desert.

   "From here, from the Nazca Lines, we are sending a strong message to
   political leaders [who] are debating in the U.N. Climate Conference in
   Lima," said Mauro Fernandez, a Greenpeace climate activist.

   The sign was dismantled and Greenpeace issued an apology after the
   Peruvian government threatened to sue the group for damaging a part of
   the revered Peruvian site.

   Another climate summit also was held in Lima this week to give voice to
   ordinary citizens, such as native Peruvians.

   Critics say the Lima meeting has left too many climate issues
   unresolved, but it has produced at least one concrete result: On the
   last day of the summit, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon signed a
   bill to protect Peru's glaciers.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/at-un-climate-summit-in-peru-protests
   -take-spotlight/2557734.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/at-un-climate-summit-in-peru-protests-take-spotlight/2557734.html