2018

Symposium 2018:

UNshaken: Subnational Actors Step Up at UN Climate Talks

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On March 29th, 2018, Climate Blue hosted it’s third spring symposium which featured a discussion of the international climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany! University of Michigan student delegates who were there as observers presented on their takeaways from the negotiations. A panel of experts and policymakers commented on what’s next for climate policy, globally and locally now that the U.S. has submitted intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and subnational action is building momentum. Attendees were able to speak to student and community groups at our organization fair & reception. Additionally, the call for the COP24 U-M delegation was announced at this event, opening the spring application period!

View the delegate presentation slides

View COP 23 interviews from COP 23 delegate Christopher Karounos

Interview context from Chris: “Feeling a little ashamed and guilty about being a U.S. delegate at COP, Chris wanted to know how other country’s delegates perceived the U.S. now that we were starting to pull out of the Paris Agreement. He talked to two delegates from Nigeria and the Marshall Islands about their perception of the U.S. post withdrawal and what should be done moving forward.”

Mock Climate Talks!

Climate Blue invited students to learn more about the UNFCCC and climate policy more broadly by joining us for a one-day model UNFCCC conference! This event mirrored the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC—COP24—that will soon be taking place in Slaskie, Poland from 3-14 December, 2018.

The conference took place 17 February from 9 am to 3 pm and had 20 student attendees!

Photos courtesy of Matthew Irish.

2017

Spring Symposium 2017:

“With or Without US?”

On March 29th, 2017, Climate Blue held it’s second spring symposium which brought together students and community members to discuss the outcome of recent United Nations climate negotiations in Marrakech, Morocco. University of Michigan student delegates who were there as observers presented on their takeaways from the negotiations. A panel of experts and policymakers commented on what’s next for climate policy, globally and locally. Attendees were invited to speak to student and community groups at our Organization Fair. Additionally, the call for the COP 23 U of M delegation was announced at this event, opening the spring application period.