Pope Francis to World Leaders at U.N. Climate Summit: "We Are at the Limits of Suicide"

Pope Francis has warned that the world is heading toward suicide if more is not done to combat climate change.  His message was directed at nearly 150 heads of state gathered in Paris for the U.N. Climate Summit to finalize pledges to make voluntary greenhouse gas emission cuts.  On Monday France and India launched an international alliance to deliver solar energy to some of the planet’s poorest even as India continues to heavily promote coal power.  India is expected to open a new coal plant every single month until 2020 as the country plans to double its coal production. Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the world’s wealthiest nations to help the developing world adapt to a changing climate, as smog in Beijing climbed to more than 35 times safety levels set by the World Health Organization and the country ordered thousands of factories to be temporarily shut down.

AMY GOODMAN:  As nearly 150 heads of state gathered here in Paris for what organizers called the largest-ever gathering of its kind, Pope Francis warned, Monday, the world is heading toward suicide if more is not done to combat climate change.  The Pope made the remark aboard a plane at the end of a six-day trip to Africa.

POPE FRANCIS: [translated] We are at the limits.  If I may use a strong word, I would say that we are at the limits of suicide.  I’m certain that almost all of those who are in Paris at COP21 are conscious of this and want to do something.

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