By Havalin Haskell, ’26, Environmental Studies Let’s just say it most definitely is “dedicated to advancing the COP29 Presidency’s vision and priorities for climate action.” On Thursday, Megan and I ventured to the Green Zone, which is open to civil society/the general public, because we weren’t badged for the Blue Zone. What is the Green …
Continue reading “The Green Zone of COP29: A Glorified, Greenwashed Trade Show”
By Ashley Entwistle, ’26, History-Political Science As delegates from around the world gather in Baku to discuss the future of our climate, the results of the US election have left the US delegation divided on how to represent the nation’s climate future. The question of whether the US can remain a reliable international partner on …
Continue reading “A Tense Saturday for the US Delegation at COP29”
By Megan O’Brien, ’25, Environmental Studies and Havalin Haskell, ’26, Environmental Studies First speakers from hosting countries (From left to right: Mukhtar Babayev, Patricia Espinosa, John Podesta, and Liu Zhenmin) at COP29 Summit on Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases. When we caught wind of the possibility of garnering tickets to attend the High-Level Summit …
Ashley Entwistle, ’26, History-Political Science Paul Irngaut (Vice-President, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc) delivering his keynote speech on Tuesday, November 12. The two-day World Leaders Action Summit commenced on the first Tuesday of COP29, where the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan invited heads of state and governments to engage in bilateral meetings, high-level roundtable discussions, and special …
By Megan O’Brien, ’25, Environmental Studies If I had to simplify my first day at COP down to one word it would be: whirlwind. I truly was running around all day trying to take in as much as I could. Going forward, I will be approaching this COP with a quality-over-quantity mindset. For my first …
By Ella Reese-Clauson, ’26, International Political Economy |
We entered the Baku airport at two in the morning local time after a nearly twenty-four hour travel day, amazed by the sloping, modern wooden arches of the terminal. Signs for COP29 in a now-familiar teal color lined the hallway. Our shuttle driver pointed out notable buildings as he maneuvered the still-crowded streets of Azerbaijan’s capital. The Baku Olympic Stadium, the venue hosting COP29, illuminated the skyline as we entered the city, its lighted exterior shining the blue, red, and green of the Azerbaijan flag. The famed flame towers—a trio of sleek, flame-shaped buildings that are three of the city’s many expensive skyscrapers built with new oil money—played a light show on repeat of the country’s waving flag.
By Jasmine Sone At COP28, I had the opportunity to speak with three extraordinary people: Chandra Tripura, who advocates for the Tripura community in Bangladesh; Pirawan Wongnithisathaporn, who represents the Karen community in Thailand, specifically the Pga K’nyaw; and Shree Kumar Mahajan, who speaks for the Newar community in Nepal. Their stories brought to light …
Continue reading “Echoes of Resilience: Indigenous Voices from South and Southeast Asia at COP28”
By: April Kwan The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28), located in the United Arab Emirates this year, was hosted in Expo City Dubai. The space was divided into two distinct zones that provide access to different events, the Blue and Green Zone. Getting access to the Blue Zone required a United Nations …
As you walk into the COP for the first time, it is hard not to be in awe of the thousands of people all representing their different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. One of the aspects that sticks out immediately is the wide array of clothing. Heading into COP 28, my classmates and I were informed …
By: Connor Johnson Stumbling upon the Thailand Pavilion on the second day of COP 28, I listened to one of the most driven and unique approaches to creating carbon neutrality within the private sector by Dr. Supachai Kid Parchariyanon, or Dr. Kid as he is commonly known. Dr. Kid is currently the CEO and co-founder …
