"More than 170 governments declared an end to the fossil fuel era on Friday, using the signing ceremony for the landmark Paris agreement as an occasion to renew their vows to fight climate change.

The outpouring of support – the largest ever single-day turn-out for a signing ceremony – underscored strong international commitment to deliver on the promises made in Paris last December to avoid a climate catastrophe, the leaders said.

“There is no turning back,” François Hollande, the French president, told the United Nations assembly.

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said signatories to the deal were embracing “a new covenant of the future”. Leonardo DiCaprio, a UN climate ambassador, likened efforts against climate change to the campaign to end slavery. "

Suzanne Goldenberg and Arthur Neslen report for the Guardian April 22, 2016. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Climate Pact Signing Kick-Starts the World's Push to Reduce Emissions" (InsideClimate News) [3]

"U.S. And 170 Other Nations Sign Historic Climate Agreement" (Washington Post) [4]

"China, U.S. Pledge To Ratify Paris Climate Deal This Year" (Reuters) [5]