SPOKANE, Wash. — A Whitworth Professor of Political Science and two students will attend the 28th Nations Climate Change Conference later this month in Dubai.
Professor Aaron Hitefield will travel to Dubai to attend this conference while two students, Libby Bunch and Dylan Richardson, attend several workshops and meetings virtually.
John Pell, dean of the Whitworth College of Arts & Sciences says, “Whitworth students are part of a small fraternity of U.S. college students invited to participate as official observers… Whitworth’s invitation from the United Nations speaks volumes about the quality of our political science program and the brilliance of our faculty and students.”
This is a very unique experience to attend.
Libby Bunch, who is double majoring in environmental studies and political science, says “I believe climate change, environmental degradation and the social injustice that these crises bring is the biggest challenge we as a species face, and I am extremely grateful to Whitworth and my professors for nominating me for the opportunity to watch such an important conference to address these issues.”
She hopes to work for the U.S. Congress or as an environmental lobbyist in Washington, D.C., after graduation. Attending this conference will give her some first-hand experience on what to expect.
Dylan Richardson, who is double majoring in political science and environmental studies and minoring in U.S. cultural studies and ethics, says “Multilateral approaches at climate governance are absolutely essential to address climate issues, and countries who have the power to change patterns of global consumption must be the first to change. COP 28 is an important first step towards accountability for those governments. This is important to me because it is an opportunity to represent one of the UNFCCC ‘parties’ in a conference governing my future.”
70,000 people from 200 countries will be attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference along with powerful leaders including Pope Francis, King Charles III, Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf and Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry.
The overall goal of these meetings is to increase global cooperation to fight climate change with this year’s specific goals including:
Transitioning to clean energy: Slashing emissions before 2030 to limit global warming to (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Centering nature, people lives and livelihoods: Put nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action, including helping the most vulnerable communities adapt to change that’s already occurring.Delivering on finance: Deliver old promises and set the framework for a new deal on finance.Mobilizing inclusivity: Mobilize the most inclusive COP ever, ensuring that decisions and discussions, and how the solutions are implemented, are truly inclusive and done in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
This year’s 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place on Nov. 30 – Dec. 12.
