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"
by Lucy Kramer Really, it is quite difficult to decide where to start, when dealing with COP, and climate change in general. Coming into Dubai, I had just finished reading a book called Ishmael by Daniel Quinn about the two people of the world, the “takers” and the “leavers.” This incited a deep curiosity: how …
By Riss Banuelos The Talanoa Dialogue is an Asian-Pacific-inspired storytelling process used in conflict mitigation, “Tala-” meaning story and “-noa” meaning without concealment or blame. This process was brought to the world of climate work as a “gift” from the Fijian President of COP23. The Colorado College delegation hosted two Talanoa-spirited dialogues, one amongst ourselves …
Day two mirrored the start of day one: a lengthy metro ride to the venue followed by more waiting in lines for entry. Although my intention was to attend the RINGO morning briefing, we didn't arrive until 9:30 am, thirty minutes after it had begun. Acknowledging this delay, I redirected my morning towards the United …
Two CC students, Zoraiz Zafar '25 and Lucy Kramer '26, will join others from Moravian University, Michigan Tech, Uinversity of Connecticut, and Monash University (Australia), in a high-profile discussion about how educational institutions can engage and empower youth contributions to work on climate action. Join this discussion live at 5:45 am, Mountain Time (with strong …
