La Paz, October 12 (RHC)-- The World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Defense of Life is wrapping up with a closing session on Monday in Bolivia.  The gathering got underway over the weekend in Cochabamba.

At the opening session on Saturday, Bolivian President Evo Morales said the impact of climate changes is being felt around the world.
  Addressing delegates, President Evo Morales said: "As governments, we have the responsibility to submit a document to the United Nations called 'The National Predetermined Contribution from the Multinational State of Bolivia,' a document prepared by Bolivia to take care of the Mother Earth — la Pachamama — because what’s happening to the planet is very serious, sometimes with drought, other times extreme cold."

Ahead of the Paris climate talks which will get underway on November 30th, experts say the pledges made by countries around the world to cut carbon emissions will fall far short of what is needed to stop the Earth from warming beyond the globally agreed-upon limit of two degrees Celsius.  That could put the Earth at risk of catastrophic sea level rises, food shortages and drought.

On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Cochabamba to attend the gathering on climate change.  The Venezuelan leader was received at the airport by Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca.  Upon his arrival, Maduro told reporters that “the only way to save the planet is with the consciousness of the people.”  

Shortly after the Venezuelan president touched down on Bolivian soil, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa also arrived in Cochabamba to attend today's closing ceremony of the gathering.