by Tristan Durocher '25 We are now two days removed from COP 28, an exhausting summit extending an extra two days past the prescribed 12 days planned. Being on the other side, I've now had time to process, reflect, and understand that the responsibility of being a COP attendee doesn't end when the plenary is …
Continue reading "What do we do Post-COP 28?: Dissemination and Climate Literacy"
By Jasmine Sone Among all the discussions at COP28, the term "Rights of Nature" caught me off guard, a concept foreign to me until that point. My initial feeling was one of confusion. Why is it necessary to advocate for the Rights of Nature in a world where its intrinsic sacredness should be obvious? Defining …
Continue reading "Awakening Connections: Embracing the Rights of Nature"
Today marked an attempt to start the day earlier, with a wake-up at 7 am and departure by 7:30, aiming to catch the RINGO briefing. Despite making good time on the metro, I didn't quite make it on time. While in line at the EXPO center, I took the opportunity to network a bit. Later, …
by Lucy Kramer (Anthropology, '26) The full U.S. delegation gathered at the final meeting for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement On the day before the final Global Stocktake text came out, the parties were lined up to give their interventions—at 1:00 am, when I left for the metro back to my hotel, there were …
Continue reading "Responsibility at COP28: For Whom, For What?"
By Mckenna Ryan I’m writing on December 13th, the day after the official end of COP28, but negotiations still continue. This COP, the United States has established itself yet again as a guardian of the neocolonial global order. Throughout negotiations, it has been stubbornly committed to shutting down meaningful progress: refusing to contribute necessary funding …
Continue reading "The United States Disappoints at COP28 Yet Again"
By Riss Banuelos The colonial-capitalist machine is the driver of climate change as it effectively exploits the earth and its beings, destroying countless lifeways. The prerequisite to extracting Nature's resources has often been the removal and murder of indigenous and local people, severe environmental degradation has been a side effect. Furthermore, for those not displaced, …
Continue reading "No False Solutions: Climate Colonialism and the Grand Inga Dam"
by Zoraiz Zafar '24 The COP28 conference marked a historic moment in the climate change dialogue, dedicating a day exclusively to 'trade.' This unprecedented focus reflects a growing understanding of trade's integral role in addressing climate change. It represents a step forward in harmonizing economic and environmental objectives, acknowledging that global trade dynamics can significantly …
Continue reading "Trade at COP28: Navigating New Frontiers in Climate Policy"
By Jasmine Sone As I sit here contemplating the future of our food, a disturbing fact enters my mind: only roughly 60 harvests are left in our topsoil. That's all. It takes 1,000 years to produce three centimeters of topsoil, and if the current degradation rate continues, it is projected that the world's topsoil might …
Continue reading "Unearthing the Impact: Soil’s Crucial Role in Climate Change"
By Jasmine Sone Step into the captivating world of COP28 exhibitions, where ideas are showcased in brilliant shades of sustainability. The halls of COP28 were not merely places for debate but also galleries of inspiration, with collections that echoed the heartbeat of our planet's future. The vivid and inventive displays across the Blue and Green …
Continue reading "Exhibit Adventures: My Top Picks from COP28’s Exhibits"
By Mckenna Ryan and April Kwan Even home sick at the Vatican, Pope Francis has been making a historical impact at this year’s COP. Since his 2015 publication of Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home (six months before historic COP21, no less), Pope Francis has cemented the Catholic Church as a powerful ally …
Continue reading "The Catholic Church’s Role in Climate Action"
