Fourteen UConn student fellows attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking the university’s continued engagement in the UN climate change discussions since COP21 in 2015. The students shared their preparations, experiences with ‘greenwashing’ by fossil fuel companies, and critical perspectives from developing countries. Events such as the People’s Plenary highlighted the emotional weight of the conference, emphasizing the need for tangible actions in climate negotiations. UConn will host a Climate Change Café on December 4 to share further insights from the summit.
This November, fourteen student fellows from the University of Connecticut (UConn) participated in the United Nations 29th annual Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. UConn has consistently sent delegations to COP since COP21 in 2015, highlighting the university’s commitment to engaging in discussions surrounding climate solutions. Many attending students prepared extensively for this important event.
Dylan Steer, a fourth-year environmental studies and political science student, expressed his enthusiasm about attending the summit, having previously applied for COP27 in Egypt without success. He noted, “I’ve applied in years past. I applied to go to Egypt for COP 27, and I didn’t get to go, so I tried to talk to as many people who had gone on the trips before and get a sense for what it’s like.”
Kamala Chuss, a fourth-year marine sciences major, indicated her lifelong preparation for such events, stating, “I started preparing all my life through my studies.” Alan Cavagnaro, another fourth-year major, shared insights into the monitoring of critical perspectives prior to the conference, revealing, “A week before COP started all of us registrants got an email from the government basically saying, if you want to protest, you have to register it through us.”
The two-week conference commenced with only recognized parties present for the World Leaders Climate Action Summit. Upon arrival, UConn students engaged in intense negotiations during the second week, with Cavagnaro commenting on the differences between the Blue Zone and Green Zone. He remarked, “The Blue Zone was awesome compared to the Green Zone … the Green Zone was really depressing.”
During their time in the Green Zone, participants observed the practices of fossil fuel companies employing “greenwashing” tactics. Steer highlighted the misleading nature of these efforts, saying, “Fossil fuel interests were at COP and presenting this whole side of themselves that is basically fraudulent.”
Conversely, Chuss found educational value in the Blue Zone, particularly in discussions about negotiations on an international scale. She noted, “I learned about how negotiations are actually done, and how science has kind of played out on an international scale.”
One significant event shared by Cavagnaro was a statement from the Attorney General of Fiji regarding inequalities faced by developing nations in addressing climate change. He emphasized the need for tangible funding to meet climate goals, saying, “In order to fund us it needs to be tangible.”
The conclusion of the event included the impactful People’s Plenary, where delegates from conflict-affected nations shared their experiences. Steer praised the authenticity displayed during this session, stating, “That was where the most truth that I heard being spoken was…”
To further discuss COP29, UConn students are invited to attend a Climate Change Café on December 4th, where attendees will share more about their experiences in Baku.
Overall, the dedication and experiences of UConn students at COP29 underscore the importance of youth participation in global climate discussions, highlighting both the challenges and insights gained from attending such a meaningful conference.
The Conference of Parties (COP) is an annual United Nations summit where nations convene to negotiate policies and actions to combat climate change. With the ongoing climate crisis, its significance has only amplified over the years. UConn’s involvement since COP21 signifies the institution’s commitment to sustainability and climate action, engaging students in a global dialogue that shapes future environmental policies and initiatives. The experiences shared by the attending students reflect their dedication to understanding and addressing climate-related issues on a global scale.
The participation of UConn students in COP29 illustrates a strong commitment to tackling climate challenges. Their diverse experiences—from confronting greenwashing in the Green Zone to engaging with critical perspectives in the Blue Zone—provide essential insights into global climate discussions. The emphasis on youth involvement reinforces the collective responsibility to address the climate crisis and push for actionable solutions, while the upcoming Climate Change Café provides a platform for further dialogue on these pressing issues.
Original Source: dailycampus.com
