Having had several days to explore the Climate Generations area, students used today to attend panels relevant to their research and conduct both formal and informal interviews with experts. Jessica interviewed Zaheer Fakir, a member of the board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and discussed the role of the GCF in agriculture and sustainable development. Jessica also spoke with Ben Lilliston from the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy based in Minneapolis and attended a panel of UNDP Equator Prize winners. The Equator Prize recognizes innovative community initiatives that build resiliency through inclusivity and systems thinking.
Similarly, Mitch interviewed the Ethiopian director of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) about program’s functions in Africa; Kayla spoke with members of the Youth Delegation of SustainUS about the role of the media in influencing citizen perceptions of climate change issues; and Isabella asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of the Marshall Islands about his country’s contingency plans for climate displacement due to sea level rise. He stated that he hopes the world will move to mitigate climate change soon enough to avoid adaptation through migration, but acknowledged that good leaders must have contingency plans, and the people of the Marshall Islands could emigrate to the U.S. if necessary. Isabella also had an impromptu lunch with the director of New York City’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. In addition to sharing his insights into the partisan nature of current climate politics and his details on New York City’s new sustainability plans, he commented on the different experiences in the Blue Zone versus Green Zone or civil society space, saying, “I may not have accreditation [into the Blue Zone], but I have French Fries.”
Isabella and Kayla also attended a panel focused on a Strategic Plan on Oceans and Climate, post-COP21. During the questions period, a woman in the panel stood up and passionately accused the group of speakers of being trapped in an ivory tower and ignoring relevant issues. This felt like a manifestation of the frustration that many people in civil society feel about the gap between policy makers, civil society and scientists. The panel responded by telling the woman that this was not the place to voice her concerns, which was a reminder that all voices are not perceived as equal, even in the UN-sponsored civil society space.
In addition to their interviews and panels today, students witnessed “die-ins” where youth fell to the ground and pretended to be dead, making a statement about the potential impacts of climate change if a strong agreement does not result from COP21.
Outside of Climate Generations, Akilah attended a youth event at the science museum. She was able to connect with environmental justice advocates from the Midwest, as well as the former Vice Chair of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Mariah, Laura, and Chris continued attending events within the Blue Zone. They participated in a youth dialogue with Facebook’s Sustainability leaders about mobilizing with social media. A highlight from the Blue Zone was a panel featuring mayors from Oakland and Copenhagen.
In the evening, Forest and Jessica attended an Ecumenical Service at Notre Dame organized by the Council of Christian Churches in France. The service included a procession of many Christian faith leaders and performances by a children’s choir. They attended the service with members from the United Methodist Creation Care Team including representatives from Liberia, Argentina, Cambodia, Switzerland, and Minnesota.
In the evening, Macalester alum Alain Cardon treated the class to dinner at the elegant La Regalade, a restaurant located near the Louvre. He shared stories about Macalester protests in the late 1960s, recalled the construction of Weyerhaeuser Chapel, and told us that he was allowed to graduate from Macalester with 3 minors and no major!
Everyone visited the Ice Watch exhibit at night at the Place du Pantheon in the Latin quarter. The display consists of 12 pieces of the Greenland ice sheet shipped to Paris in refrigerated containers. The ice blocks are positioned in a circle like a clock in front of the Pantheon, symbolizing the idea of time melting away. We saw a film crew take footage of a modern dance performance within the circle of ice. The ice melting provides a reminder of the imminent threat of sea level that progresses every day.
After a long but productive week, we are looking forward to our last day, but also sad to leave COP 21 after just beginning to figure how it all works.
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