Recap of Catalyzing Climate Action: A Discussion in the Wake of COP 28
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the Arizona Initiative for Resilience and International Development (AIRID) and the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS) hosted Catalyzing Climate Action: A Discussion in the Wake of COP 28. This event provided an opportunity for members of the UArizona delegation to COP 28, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in November – December 2023, to share their firsthand experiences and insightful takeaways.
United Nations sponsored climate change conferences called Conferences of the Parties (or COPs) take place every year and generate key climate policies and agreements, document emerging trends, and build community around solutions. UArizona sent 11 delegates to COP 28; seven of those delegates joined us for the conversation on February 1:
- Mona Arora, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH);
- Mamadou Baro, Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (via Zoom);
- Ali Behrangi, Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences;
- Michael Kotutwa Johnson, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, AIR and IRes;
- Joona Mikkola, Arid Lands Resource Sciences;
- William Simmons, Human Rights Practice Program; and
- Yevheniia Varyvoda, MEZCOPH.
Panelists at the Catalyzing Climate Action event described sessions they attended, insights they gained, things that inspired them, and suggestions for future COPs. One important event was the inaugural Health Day; health was recognized as being impacted by climate, but also attention was drawn to the fact that health care systems are also contributing the climate crisis. Youth and students also had a large presence at COP 28, although panelists noted that UArizona should support more student attendance in the future. In one panel at COP 28, students presented an interesting concept called the Inner Development Goals (IDGs): being, thinking, relating, collaborating, and acting. Panelist William Simmons mentioned that he plans to offer a UArizona summer course on the IDGs with a focus on psychosocial resilience and mental health challenges.
This conversation was a thought-provoking exploration of COP 28's impact, offering valuable insights and actionable opportunities for our university community. You can watch the full recording of the event at this link.
Other resources from this conversation
- Arizona Initiative for Resilience and International Development (AIRID) Projects
- Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS) Theme Areas
- UArizona Climate Change and Society Undergraduate Minor
- UArizona Graduate Global Change Minor
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (during COPs, IISD produces a daily bulletin with updates)
- Climate Action Network International Eco Newsletter (during COPs, CAN produces a daily bulletin with updates)
- Climate Heritage Network: Call to include cultural heritage as a track in COP
- Story: Over 1,000 signatories back Global Call to embed Culture into Climate Policy at COP 28
- Story: After COP 28: What's next for adaptation?