Comment on Calm before the storm as Paris prepares for climate summit

PARIS — Empty shoes were lined up in downtown Paris ahead of the start of international climate negotiations Sunday, filling in for global warming protesters who were not permitted to march because of security after this month’s attacks. Instead environmental advocacy groups held marches outside of Paris and around the world. A nearly empty conference center seemed to have more security guards than negotiators as country delegations and media started dribbling into the venue where two weeks of intense talks are expected. Formal negotiations between lower level officials are scheduled to begin late Sunday.