Addressing the Twin Crises of Debt and Environmental Sustainability: Lessons from COP28

by Zoraiz Zafar, '24 In the backdrop of the COP28 conference, a pressing issue that emerged was the twin crises of debt and environmental sustainability, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This essay explores the intricate relationship between these crises and proposes a nuanced approach to addressing them, drawing from the rich …

Echoes of Resilience: Indigenous Voices from South and Southeast Asia at COP28

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 …

Structures that Shape 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 …

What is appropriate clothing at the COP?

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 …

What do we do Post-COP 28?: Dissemination and Climate Literacy

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 …

Awakening Connections: Embracing the Rights of Nature

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 …

The United States Disappoints at COP28 Yet Again

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 …

css.php