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Protests, Warnings, US Retreat Add Urgency to UN Climate Talks

Associated Press

   MADRID - Mass protests, a last-minute venue change and talk of climate
   tipping points are adding some unplanned drama to this year's
   international talks on tackling global warming.

   Delegates from almost 200 countries had planned to put the finishing
   touches to the rules governing the 2015 Paris accord, ironing out a few
   wrinkles left over from last year's conference in Katowice, Poland, and
   setting the scene for a major review of their efforts in 2020.

   But then Brazil pulled its offer of hosting the talks and stand-in
   Chile, rattled by anti-government protests, canceled five weeks before
   the meeting. Next, President Donald Trump served formal notice that the
   United States was quitting the Paris accord, delivering a symbolic blow
   to one of his predecessor's signature achievements.

   And scientists? Well, they didn't have any good news either. Study
   after study published in recent months has underscored the rapid pace
   of global warming and the need to cut emissions of greenhouse gases as
   soon as possible.

   Against that backdrop, the Dec. 2-13 meeting in Madrid has gained fresh
   urgency.

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