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Iran, Wracked by Deadly Protest; Deadly Crackdown against Protesters in Iran; Protests Continue in Iraq after Prime Minister's Resignation; Trump Heads To NATO Meeting Amid New Challenges; Trump's Attorneys Will Not Participate in Wednesday Hearing; Vigil Held in London and Cambridge to Honor Stabbing Victims; Rising Sea Levels Putting London at Risk of Flooding; Annual U.N. Conference on Climate Change Underway in Madrid. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired December 02, 2019 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:00]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Tonight, you shouldn't be seeing this, Iran's government trying to shut down any view of the deadliest protest there in
years. But these images are leaking out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We want all of them out. No one should stay. They're all thieves.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: In Iraq, the message is loud and clear, we've had enough. Why their anger is also being directed at Tehran.
Donald Trump heading off to meet other world leaders while the impeachment fight at home pivots to a new phase.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IVAN HAIGH, OCEANOGRAPHER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON: If there was flooding, it would be catastrophic, particularly if it happened at night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: One of the world's biggest cities under threat of being swallowed, and it could happen sooner than we think. It is 7:00 p.m.
It is 7:00 p.m. in Abu Dhabi. It is 6:30 in Tehran, 6:00 in Baghdad. I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome to what is our expanded edition of
CONNECT THE WORLD.
Right now -- massive and deadly demonstrations roiling through two countries, against one government right here in the Middle East. On the
right, we are showing you scenes inside Iran. At least 100 people there killed by the government for protesting. And by all reports hundreds more
may be dead.
This is rare footage this hour and others are only slowly leaking out after the regime cut off the whole country's access to the internet to try and
blackout the world, finding out exactly what is going on there. Protesters aren't calling so much for reform as revolution.
On the left, different flags, same message. Iraqi protesters who feel there've been more than 400 killed, blame Iran's government for meddling in
their country. That comes after decades of corruption, war, murder, dictatorship and mismanagement and, of course, an American invasion. Well
getting into Iran is not only impossible for international media at present, but we're extremely well covered with Sam Kiley, my colleague
right here in Abu Dhabi and Arwa Damon standing by live from Baghdad. Let's start with the images, Sam, that we are now seeing leaking out of
Iran. What do you make of what is going on?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, first thing to say is that internet connectivity today was estimated about 65 percent.
Mostly government offices, no 3G connectivity. So getting any kind of information out for the Iranians is extremely difficult. A lot of the
images we're seeing now date back to the beginning of these demonstrations. Only now we're beginning to get an idea of the full scale of what has been
going on and also the violence. But take a look, Becky, at what we have been able to put together and seen so far.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KILEY (voice-over): Iranian Parliamentarians grab and throttle back descent from one of their own. Mohammad Golmoradi, he comes from Iran's
south. Had sought to publicize allegations of the mass killing of demonstrators there. He was silenced in Iran's National Assembly by
politicians anxious to suppress news about what may be the worst violence in demonstrations in decades.
The internet has been cut for most of the last two weeks, but images of alleged brutality by the security forces have begun to emerge. Here a
demonstrator chases a plain clothes officer who shoots him in the leg. Human rights groups have said that there have been hundreds of deaths
across Iran, since demonstrations began against a sudden 50 percent fuel price hike last month.
The government has said that demonstrators -- who it calls vandals and thugs -- have burned 70 gas stations, more than 700 banks and even dozens
of ambulances as Iran's crisis has deepened. Sanctions imposed by the U.S. have hobbled Iran. The IMF saying this year its economy will shrink by
almost 10 percent.
[10:05:00]
Ten years ago, a reform movement was violently crushed. Today, there is more of a revolutionary drive with opposition leaders saying that Iran's
Supreme Leader is worse than the Shah, that Islamic revolution deposed in 1979.
Opposition politician, Mir Hossein Mousavi, who's under House arrest issued a statement that said, the killings in 1978 represented a nonreligious
regime. The agents and snipers of November 2019 are the representatives of the religious government. At that time the commander in chief was the
Shah. Today, it's the supreme leader, with absolute authority.
The language too is shifting, from demands for reform, to an end to the regime altogether. But with no leadership or plan, reaching that goal is a
distant prospect and perhaps a dangerous dream.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KILEY: Now the reason I say that, Becky, is that there is a danger here that with the central government so under pressure, hard-liners become
preeminent and any talk of reform simply gets oppressed or suppressed. The other danger is the more weapons that leak in, some of the enemies of Iran
might like to see a civil war break out there.
ANDERSON: Sam, stand by because I want to get to Arwa Damon who is live for us in Baghdad. What's the story on the ground in Iraq at present --
Arwa?
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky, you have an extraordinary amount of anger being directed at the Iraqi government, at
this country's political elite and at Iran. It's almost as if a barrier of fear (INAUDIBLE) --
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAMON (voice-over): They cry for those they love, for those they never met, for the agony of loss today and that of Iraq's painful past. The
sorrowful lyrics, a traditional Shia martyr hymn told from the perspective of the martyr saying farewell to the living.
This is Hillah the predominantly Shia capital of the province of Babylon.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, IRAQI PROTESTER: This speech from the oldest civilization in the world from Babylon. We love our country. We love
life. So we made this peaceful demonstration.
DAMON: Our presence prompts an address in English. Those who are here starved to get their message out to an international audience.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need all the world to support us, to stop crimes against innocent people.
DAMON: Those crimes reflected in this living peace of macabre art and along the walls leading to the protest grounds.
TABARIK FAHDEL, PROTESTER (through translator): After all the blood that was spilled, we won't let that go. We won't give up.
DAMON: -- 22-year-old Tabarik Fahdel (ph) vows. She's a recent college graduate, and this is about her future. It's a future without the chains
of Iraq's sectarian political parties, without the toxic influence of Iran and other outside powers.
Students of all ages are on strike, foregoing their education until their demands are met.
(on camera): They want to start over. They want a do over when it comes to Iraq's democracy project, and it really is this generation that is
forcing about this change.
(voice-over): But few places are as calm as this, where there is an agreement with the police to keep the peace.
(on camera): This is the local provincial council that has been shut down at the request of the population. I mean they've basically gotten rid of
the local government here.
(voice-over): They also torched the local offices of all political parties, a reflection of the outrage felt towards the political elite and
their outside patrons.
But just a 45-minute drive further south, in the holy Shia city of Najaf, the bloody repression against those who dare revolt continues. In the last
few days, at least 20 people have been killed. More than 500 wounded.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Check if my son is thirsty. I will drink after him. I'm worried he died thirsty.
DAMON: This father utterly beside himself cries out. And this little girl just five years old was killed by a stray bullet when she was standing in
front of her house.
Najaf is where Shia political power lies and Iran's influence is more prominent. But even here there is no more tolerance left for the status
quo. Protesters have already burned the Iranian consulate, and more recently attacked the shrine of a once revered Shia cleric whose family is
now entrenched in Iraqi politics.
[10:10:00]
Despite the crushing pain, there is hope and determination. A strike even in sorrow that those here swear is more powerful than any sectarian force.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAMON: But, Becky, despite what we're hearing from those young demonstrators, there is also the reality of Iran's vast power to contend
with. And Iran is not likely to give any of that up. Whether it is on the political front, through the parties that it supports, or in terms of the
militia that it continues to back on the ground. And there are great widespread concerns that for Iraq to finally end up on this path, that
those young demonstrators are talking about, there is going to end up being a significant amount of more bloodshed.
ANDERSON: Yes, Arwa is live for you in Baghdad with that report there. Arwa, thank you.
Sam, speaking to sources here, in the Gulf region, there is a real concern that the Iran regime will double down at home, and even perhaps replace its
moderate leadership. And there are concerns about escalation of violence in these other arenas of protests like Lebanon and Iraq.
KILEY: Well one of the catch 22s of sanctions -- we saw this understandably saying -- is they actually very frequently, particularly in
the Middle East, actually concentrate power in the hands of the very people that those imposing the sanctions wish to undermine. And in this case,
when you corner an organization like the Revolutionary Guards and the intelligence services that back Hamas, Hezbollah, the Damascus regime in
Syria, the danger is that there's an equal and opposite reaction as it were to the pressure that they're under. And that is what is concerning to
people in the Gulf nations who are just looking straight across the Persian or Arabian Gulf -- depending what side you are of it -- at an Iran that is
wounded and therefore potentially dangerous.
From the American perspective, the Trump administration would argue a lot of this is a sign that the pressure they're putting on is working, that the
regime is now vulnerable, the government is vulnerable in Tehran and perhaps they may see a moderation of behavior. That isn't the experience
of more experienced people here in the Middle East.
ANDERSON: All right, well, to both of you, Sam with me here in Abu Dhabi and Arwa in Baghdad, thank you both.
Well we've also have seen sweeping protests across Lebanon as we have been discussing now for weeks. We're going to get you on the ground there, in
the next hour or so. This of course is a two-hour show of CONNECT THE WORLD. As we look at the effects not only of the protests, but of
Washington, holding up more than $100 million in military aid. Here is a snippet of what you will see next hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JOHN RATCLIFFE, (R-TX): And when aid was first held -- withheld from Lebanon, were you given a reason why it was withheld?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Washington supports the Lebanese army as a counterweight to Iranian-backed
Hezbollah. Which is not only a major player in this country's complex politics but maintains with Iranian help a well-armed militia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The U.S. President is about to leave for London for a meeting marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of NATO. Donald Trump arrives
there in a few hours. He will talk with key allies as the alliance faces down new challenges including the growing influence of Russia and China.
Along, of course, with a healthy dose of skepticism about Trump's commitment to NATO. All this as the House Judiciary Committee is set to
hold its first impeachment hearing on Wednesday. While the President is in those NATO meetings abroad.
Our international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is in London for us to preview that NATO gathering. While U.S. correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is
on Capitol Hill with the latest on the impeachment inquiry. Let me start with you, Nic. And let's be very clear. Donald Trump has not had a great
deal of positive things to say about NATO. But he's not the only spoiler. There are others within its own ranks now questioning whether NATO at 70 is
fit for purpose.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, and the more spoilers you have in the ranks the harder it is to kind of keep it all in
one tent and that's the real issue here. If there are any divisions and the discussions about those divisions which do exist should be kept sort of
behind closed doors because others will want to profit from that.
But the big issues coming up for the White House are going to be China, 5G communications networks. The U.S. wants to make sure that all NATO allies
are not using communication technology, which could leak information to the Chinese government.
[10:15:00]
You know, President Trump is going to come into this, according to White House officials, so spectacularly successful if you will, because the NATO
Secretary-General has just said in the last few days that the contributions from NATO nations have gone up significantly -- $130 billion up from 2016.
This is exactly what President Trump has been calling for, more NATO nations to make that 2 percent of GDP commitment to defense spending up
from 2016 from three nations to nine nations now.
But you know, this is an alliance that is 70 years old. Its original purpose has changed and that creates issues.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Likely the most pressing issue in London will be Turkey. Its populist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan purchased the
sophisticated Russian S-400 air defense system. And now toys with the idea of buying Russian fighter jets too. Both buys, from outside the alliance,
a no-no for NATO but don't expect public fireworks. Tensions with Turkey are not new. Neither is the solution. NATO better off with Turkey on the
inside. But with that comes danger.
Once long time NATO expert, Jonathan Eyal.
JONATHAN EYAL, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE: The problem that we have is that we are used to the game of Mr. Erdogan. What
we are not -- what we do not know is what the limits are and the danger is always is that someone will overstep the mark.
ROBERTSON: And then France, never an easy relationship within the alliance. Macron doesn't speak for Europe but tries to. Recently pushing
the idea the alliance is past fit for purpose and Trump is part of the problem.
EYAL: There is no question that in general Trump's statements were distinctly unhelpful and have shaken the alliance to the core. The Brits
lead the camp that say that Trump -- that Trump is a temporary phenomenon and will go away. The French leads the other camp.
ROBERTSON: One person in particular will be happy for any dissent in London --Vladimir Putin. Russia is weaker than NATO and feels threatened.
Responding to his provocations is yet another challenge.
EYAL: NATO has a challenge to try to suggest how in a world like this it still has the answers.
ROBERTSON: A good outcome in London would be nailing differences behind closed doors. But with Trump in the room, that's not going to be easy.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: Yes, President Trump is certainly the most unpredictable if you will U.S. President that NATO officials had to deal with. And according to
one source with some knowledge, the feeling is that with Trump in the room, NATO is one win away from a wipeout -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Amazing stuff. And, Suzanne, you are on Capitol Hill. The President getting set to leave Washington, on his way to London, of course.
What he leaves behind, though, is fascinating. Democrats pivoting from investigating President Donald Trump to beginning their prosecution of him
this week. In what has been described as the most significant and historic development yet in this impeachment battle. Tee things up for us, if you
will. What can we expect?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN U.S. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, sure. One of the most significant things that happened this weekend is the fact that
President Trump and his legal team say they are not going to be participating in Wednesday's hearing, this open hearing by the House
Judiciary Committee.
The White House counsel sending a letter to Jerry Nadler, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, saying for a number of reasons, first, that these
witnesses, they don't know who they are, so they don't have adequate time to prepare.
Secondly, these are -- this is not an exercise, they believe in due process to the President. That you have a group, a panel of four constitutional
lawyers debating the efficacy of articles of impeachment, whether or not it rises to high crimes and misdemeanors, the President's behavior.
And, third, Becky, the fact that the President in fact will be in London for the NATO summit. They are saying that the Democrats aren't serious
about his participation because it is happening on Wednesday.
But I want to tell you what is happening right now, today, is that you will have members of the House Intelligence Committee looking at their report,
those findings that were written by staffers over the holiday. They'll take a look at it this evening, and then tomorrow that committee will vote
on it. Pass it along to the House Judiciary Committee, and then that is when Wednesday, Becky, as you mentioned, it takes a very dramatic turn from
the investigative side to the impeachment side.
That's when you'll have that open hearing with those four scholars. One representing the Republicans, three representing the Democrats, and who
they wanted the President tweeting already, Becky, this is an unfair process.
[10:20:02]
And, again, the Republicans in allies calling for other fact witnesses. They want people like Hunter Biden, the whistleblower, even Adam Schiff to
be the kinds of people that they want to talk to. They're not interested in talking to these impeachment scholars and all of this underscores just
the speed at which Democrats are moving this process. They hope to get a full vote before the House floor by Christmas, probably about the third
week of December. So you can see where this is going -- Becky.
ANDERSON: All right. Well to both of you, Suzanne, as ever, thank you. And Nic is in London. More from Nic as we get Donald Trump into London and
into this NATO 70th anniversary meeting.
Well, a message of defiance from the Mayor of London. The U.K. capital remembers the victims of Friday's terror attack with leaders gathering for
a vigil close to the attack spot, that is London Bridge.
Plus, Oxfam just published a report warning that one person every two seconds is forced from their home because of climate change. That as the
U.N. meets to address the issue of climate crisis. We'll take a look at the very real danger of flooding facing major cities like London. All that
coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SADIQ KHAN, MAYOR OF LONDON: We come together this morning, in condolences, but also in a spirit of defiance. To say that London will
never be cowed or intimidated by terrorism. And also to commit to honoring the memory of Saskia and Jack by dedication their future to what not
defined by hatred, but one defined by hope, by unity, and by love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: London's Mayor Sadiq Khan there, speaking just a couple of hours ago at the vigil for the victims of Friday's terror attack. Jack Merritt
and Saskia Jones were involved in a prisoner rehabilitation program called Learning Together. They had been attending an event linked to that program
and they were stabbed by a man convicted on terrorism offenses who was out on early release. Three other people were also wounded.
Events of Friday and the issue of the attacker's early release have led to a political firestorm in the U.K. The week before let's remember a general
election. I want to bring in Nina dos Santos. She is where that vigil was held, a few minutes' walk away from London Bridge itself -- Nina.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks very much, Becky. Yes, well it was a very somber event. You heard there the Mayor of London saying that
yet again the city will stand in defiance of terrorism and not let the actions of terrorists tear its people apart.
[10:25:05] He said that now at this divisive time just before an election it was best to focus on unity, the good things that brought people
together. Including the ordinary Londoners who brandished a narwhal tusk, that they ripped from the wall to try and apprehend this attacker as well
as fire extinguishers to try and stop him from hurting more people after fatally stabbing two young promising ex-students of Cambridge University,
Jack Merritt and also Saskia Jones.
Today was about making sure that their legacy was one that would be remembered for the good that they brought the world, instead of being
hijacked politically.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DOS SANTOS (voice-over): 25-year-old Jack Merritt and 23-year-old Saskia Jones, both were Cambridge graduates, both passionate about giving even the
most serious offenders a second chance. It was this belief that brought them to an event near London Bridge, to discuss rehabilitation with former
prisoners. And a belief that put them into contact with Usman Khan, a convicted terrorist out on license.
The fact he was freed early has been seized upon by the Prime Minister, already pledging to get tough on law and order, with the general election
now less than two weeks away. And days before a NATO summit of the U.K. which will see the country welcome world leaders including the U.S.
President.
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I think it is repulsive that individuals as dangerous as this man should be allowed out after serving
only eight years. And that's why we're going to change the law.
JEREMY CORBYN, BRITISH LABOUR PARTY LEADER: I think there has to be an examination of how our prison services work and crucially what happens to
them when they're released from prison.
DOS SANTOS: Over the weekend, authorities have increased their surveillance of 74 criminals out on license, like Khan. That led to the
arrest of a 34-year-old man on Sunday night. In a statement, Jack Merritt's family described him as a beautiful, talented boy who believed in
redemption, not revenge. And they urged Johnson not to politicize his passing.
We know Jack would not want this terrible isolated incident to be used as a pretext by the government for introducing even more draconian sentences,
they said.
A legacy captured in jack's own words describing his work in this radio interview earlier this year.
JACK MERRITT, LAW IN ACTION, BBC 2010: Our students in prison often have a very firsthand, very real, but also very nuanced idea of how the law works.
We essentially start talking to our students about ideas of justice and access to justice.
DOS SANTOS: Khan's lawyer says longer sentences aren't the answer, the focus instead should be on rehabilitation before release.
VAJAHAT SHARIF ATTACKER'S LAWYER: The point to learn from this is that the system could benefit by reviewing its position on something like this and
having offenders interact with de-radicalizers some time before they are to be released in the community.
DOS SANTOS: Police are still trying to understand the events leading up to Friday's attack. What they learned may have important consequences for how
and when offenders are released in the future. Even if that may not necessarily have been the reform that Friday's gathering had been hoping to
achieve.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DOS SANTOS: So, Becky, we saw a brief respite from the campaign trail for the leader of the opposition and also Boris Johnson. But it is back to
political point scoring later on today. And that has also been a theme over the course of the weekend. You can see it hinted at on the front page
of the local newspaper here in London, the "Evening Standard", which is talking about how the government is now announced a major terror probe for
hundreds of more people who were out on license like Usman Khan and a time when they may have -- they may have been previously convicted of very
serious offenses. We learned over the course of the weekend that that review of 74 people who Boris Johnson said would go to be looked at more
closely. Two of those people have now been rearrested by authorities -- Becky.
Nina dos Santos is outside the Guildhall in London.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson. This show from your Middle East broadcasting hub here in Abu Dhabi.
Still to come -- extreme weather events and sea levels rising enough to swallow entire cities. That is world leaders gather to talk climate
change. We have an ominous warning from scientists. That's coming up for you.
[10:30:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Right now world leaders are trying to work out how to save their countries and the planet from a problem that truly affects each and every
one of us. The global climate emergency -- they are meeting in Madrid for the U.N. Climate Change Conference, also known this year as COP25. As the
U.N. Chief, Antonio Guterres, warns the point of no return is no longer over the horizon. Don't forget the Trump administration began formally
withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord less than a month ago.
Our senior international correspondent, Jim Bittermann, is standing by live for us in Paris. And, Jim, I will get to you in a moment.
But almost everywhere we look, as politicians produce hot air, the climate crisis getting out of hand faster than we can get ourselves under control.
We've got a preview of where that may lead us just a couple of weeks ago, back in the beginning of November, just look at people wading around
Venice. This should all be dry land. It is under water. And this could happen all over the world to hundreds and millions of us. And as Phil
Black now reports, it could be happening sooner than we think in some of our biggest cities.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): London has long respected the power of the sea. Straddling the city's famous river, you'll find this,
the Thames barrier, finished in the early '80s, it's a mighty mechanized fortification. This sped up video of a recent test shows how it works.
Fully extended, the gates stand five stories high. It's designed to hold back the North Sea on its angriest days, to protect lives and the vast
riches of one of the world's wealthiest cities.
IVAN HAIGH, OCEANOGRAPHER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON: If there was flooding, it would be catastrophic. You know, particularly if it happened
at night. If something was to go wrong, the city would absolutely grind to a halt. You know, flooding of subway stations, flooding of the tubes.
BLACK: We meet this oceanographer, Ivan Haigh, on a day the Thames is swollen by a big tide and the storm surge.
(on camera): Have you seen the Thames look like this before?
HAIGH: I've never seen it this high.
BLACK (voice-over): It is a close call, but experts monitoring the river have decided not to close the barrier. The Thames looking bloated and full
gives a powerful sense of London's vulnerability to what scientists now consider inevitable. Sea level rise caused by climate change.
HAIGH: At the moment we're on track to reach at least a meter.
BLACK (on camera): And that's factored in. That we expect that regardless of sort of policy decisions from here forth.
HAIGH: So that's very much dependent on whether we follow the Paris Agreement or not.
[10:35:00]
BLACK (voice-over): The Paris Agreement's goal is to sufficiently cut carbon emissions to keep the average global temperature increase below 2
degrees. That's to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
Scientists say achieving that goal will limit rising sea levels from expanding water and melting ice sheets. But it's already too late to
prevent it.
(on camera): Scientists say even if some of the best-case forecasts prove accurate, this big impressive piece of infrastructure still has a limited
shelf life. Sea level rise means long before the end of this century it'll have to be replaced by a new, bigger, hugely expensive barrier further
downstream.
(voice-over): These 10 yearly forecasts show what will happen to London if it doesn't have a barrier and the world doesn't act quickly to cut
emissions. By 2100 wide areas of land along the Thames turn blue. Within another 200 years, the river swallows much of central London.
But this advanced inland city, with vast money and resources, managing rising sea levels will be an extraordinary challenge. While around the
world, small islands, coastal cities and river delta communities will be making due without those advantages.
Phil Black, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: The very real danger of flooding facing major cities like London. Let me get Jim for you who is covering this COP25 climate meeting
in Spain. Jim, Oxfam just published a report warning that one person every two seconds is forced from their home because of climate change. As the
U.N. meets to address all of this, what kind of leadership can we expect from COP25 in Spain?
JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think, you know, I think that they would like to sort of straighten out some of the
errors they believe have been committed along the way. And they'd love to -- you know and tighten the kind of goals that have been set here in Paris
back four years ago at COP21. One of those areas, whether they like to tighten things is an area of enforcement. After all, I mean, all these
goals, I mean nothing on paper, unless there is a way to enforce it. And it turns out I think the smaller countries of the world seem to be the ones
who are most intent on respecting the goals.
Some of the larger polluters, the United States, for example, which has dropped out of the entire process is not going to be part of the meetings
in Madrid as an official country. By the way, there are some Democrats from the Congress, including Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker who are there in
Madrid. But in fact the medium sized countries and smaller countries are the ones most affected and also the ones that are sort of the most adamant
about respecting the goals. And in Phil Black's report, he mentioned the small islands. In fact there's a small islands group in Madrid, that's
looking to bring its weight to bare on the leaders that are there. About 30 heads of state and government, perhaps a disappointing number -- given
the fact there's 197 signatories to the COP21 agreement.
So it'll be interesting to see how this turns out at the end of the week. But at the moment, it is not too hopeful and there's been some rather dire
predictions including that one by Oxfam. But also from Antonio Guterres, and as you mentioned, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who said
among other things that there is 179 billion tons of ice that melted in just the month of July alone. You hear the figures, it's absolutely
staggering -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Jim, as you've been speaking, I've just been admiring that shot behind you. This is a world, well worth saving, when we just consider that
sunset over Paris there with the Eiffel Tower behind you. Mr. Bittermann, always a pleasure. Thank you.
Well, I wish I could say it is not the end of the world. But it really could be if we don't stop it from happening. And there are ways that all
of us can right here, right now. Here is one pretty simple way that you can start.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): Changing what you eat could easily have a significant impact because animal agriculture creates about 14 percent of
the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Roughly on par with the world's transportation. In 2017, beef was found to be one of the most damaging
foods to the climate.
[10:40:00]
Each kilo consumed produces 26.5 kilos of CO2 emissions, five times more than chicken or turkey. Converting to plant-based diets could reduce
emissions by over 70 percent depending where you live.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It's not so hard if we all do it together. And there are many other ways to find out more at CNN.com/earth. I've started.
We'll call it a teddy bear ice rink intrusion. We'll explain why tens of thousands of cuddly toys were thrown on to the ice during a game of hockey.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hershey, Pennsylvania, is known primarily for its chocolate. But it's also known for a cute ice hockey tradition. Every year during the
Thanksgiving holidays, the Hershey Bears have a game when following the first goal, everyone throws a teddy bear or five on to the ice and this
time they have broken a record, more than, get this, 45,000 teddy bears on to the rink. From a load of bears to just one Tiger, "WORLD SPORT" anchor,
Alex Thomas up to explain. He is in London for you, sir.
ALEX THOMAS, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes, Becky, we've got a three-part series on Tiger Woods starting today with his astonishing return to the major winner
circle and why we all care more than his kids do. That's coming up on "WORLD SPORT" in a moment.
ANDERSON: Can't wait. Taking a very short break, folks. Back after this.
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[10:45:00]
(WORLD SPORT)
[10:58:56]
THOMAS: We'll have more from Tiger tomorrow and Wednesday as we look ahead to that President's cup event and his entire golfing future -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Amazing. Good stuff. Thank you.
Coming up on CONNECT THE WORLD, we look at protests across the Middle East. We are on the ground in Baghdad and in Beirut, as Tehran tries to shut out
the world from seeing unrest. New videos leaking out of the country suggesting some of the biggest unrest there in decades.
Plus -- he used to fight mythical white walkers but now he's fighting to save our planet. We're going to speak to a "Game of Throne" actor, Nikolaj
Coster-Waldau. That after this.
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