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Fletcher School student Maria Elena Sandalli discusses the numerous businesses that made climate commitments at the COP this year, and describes attending the #unitebehindthescience event with activists Greta Thunberg and Luisa Neubauer, as well as the ‘Brands4 Sustainability’ event put on by Bocconi University and the ‘It’s a Flying Shame - Nordic efforts towards Sustainable Aviation’ event in the Nordic Pavilion, among others.
Read MoreMALD student Dana Thomas reflects on her first trip to the COP by discussing the time in Professor Gallagher’s Climate Change and Clean Energy Policy class when she was tasked with acting as the COP Presidency in a simulated negotiation similar to COP21. Throughout her time at the COP this year, Dana realized that the simulated negotiation and the current negotiations are more similar that previously realized.
Read MoreTufts University faculty member, Kate Risse, evokes the painting, Landscape with Charon Crossing Styx by Joachim Patinier, when speaking about COP25. Kate describes the division between big polluters being shown the more sustainable path by local NGOs, youth activists, local governments, etc., just as the angel shows the human soul crossing the Styx, but continue to keep their backs turned. Kate also quotes former Secretary of State John Kerry and asks, "How do we marry top boots with grass roots?” as she discusses the disconnect she witnessed between “policy that states that it is everyone’s right to act to advance sustainability and a carbon-free future, and making these rights actually become a reality for people, setting up a mechanism that informs and empowers people at a local level to make the energy transition.”
Read MoreFletcher School post-doctoral scholar, Fang Zhang, discusses the various adversities that impacted COP25 this year, ranging from the lack of concrete proposals negotiated to the twice-changed location. Despite the various problems, Fang admits that this was not the worst COP, as there are plenty of things to be inspired by - including the emergence of youth activists and the COP’s consistent reminder that the #timeforaction is now.
Read MoreFletcher School MALD student Bethany Tietjen discusses youth activists’ presence at COP25 and how “climate grief” can affect those striving for meaningful change and impact. Bethany also describes attending the #behindthescience panel where activists, Greta Thunberg and Luisa Neubauer accompanied scientists such as CIERP founder, Bill Moomaw, in promoting intergenerational collaboration in combating climate change.
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