Climate activists march outside UN talks in Qatar

Waving banners saying "Stop climate change" and "Arabs reduce emissions," the well-behaved crowd marched along the Qatari capital's Corniche, a waterfront walkway lined by gleaming skyscrapers.

Khalid al-Mohannadi, one of the organizers, noted that "it's not a protest, it's a march for peace."

The march was billed as the first environmental rally ever in the wealthy emirate, which is hosting the two-week U.N. talks aimed at forging a global deal to curb emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases.

Many of those taking part in the March said Arab leaders need to look beyond the political turmoil in the region and address the broader challenge of climate change.

"Governments always talk about economy and stabilizing the country, but you can't talk about that without talking about climate change, because the Arab region is one of the most impacted regions," said Sarah Rifaat, an Egyptian activist.

Dangerous warming effects could include flooding of coastal cities and island nations, disruptions to agriculture and drinking water, and the spread of diseases and the extinction of species.