Taking Stock of COP28
Taking Stock of COP28

The end of the first week of the annual climate negotiations nearly always produces a feeling of malaise and pessimism.  And sure enough, as we conclude the first week of #COP28 in Dubai, the progress in the global climate negotiations seems too slow, the outcomes too uncertain, and the whole scene to be strangely divorced from reality (or perhaps a true reflection of the actual political pressures on the process). The main concrete progress in the first week, on the first day, was on operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund, with some initial pledges made by Europe ($250 million +), the United States ($17.5 million), and a few other countries. The US also made a pledge to the Green Climate Fund of $3 billion (with no clarity how it will pay for it given Congressional opposition).

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Climate Policy Lab2023, Author - Kelly Sims Gallagher, COP28Comment
Heat and Health at COP28
Heat and Health at COP28

The negotiations and fanfare have officially kicked off at the 28th Conference of the Parties in Dubai with reports of over 80,000 people attending the conference this year. After two days of speeches and plenaries at the high-level Climate Action Summit, world leaders have announced a series of large commitments – some meaningful, some symbolic – and most have headed back to their home countries. Starting yesterday (December 3rd), the conference shifted focus to key negotiations and thematic days. The backdrop of the conference is sunny, hot Dubai. We are currently in one of the cooler times of the year, but limited tree cover means significant sun exposure in the lines to get into the venue. Once inside Expo City, you can mostly manage to stay cool in the shade, but the venue is sprawling and the walk from one end to the other is long and primarily outdoors. Overall, it is an interesting setting for talks about limiting global warming to ‘well below 2 degrees Celsius’. The heat here – apparently nothing compared to the summer months – puts the dangers of a hotter world into stark perspective.

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Climate Policy Lab2023, Author - Bethany Tietjen, COP28 Comment
Indigenous Engagement: What We Can Learn from the Inuit
Indigenous Engagement: What We Can Learn from the Inuit

The Inuit have disproportionately experienced the impacts of climate change, forcing them to adapt to its effects much earlier than the rest of the world. Therefore, Inuit Knowledge is crucial to how the world manages the looming threat of climate change. The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), a leading international NGO that serves as a platform for the Inuit to advocate for their rights and interests, has laid out eight protocols (Circumpolar Inuit Protocols) for ways to engage with the Inuit in an ethical and equitable manner. The rest of the world could learn from these protocols, outlined below, for how to effectively engage with Indigenous Peoples and combat climate change.

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Climate Policy Lab2023, Native American Heritage Month 2023, Arctic
Land Back: The Perfect Topic for Environmentalists to Bring up at Thanksgiving
Land Back: The Perfect Topic for Environmentalists to Bring up at Thanksgiving

This upcoming Thanksgiving, there is one thing we should all be discussing at our dinner tables this year – Land Back. Indigenous peoples in the United States have been very clear that the key to decolonization is returning land to the Indigenous communities from which it was stolen. Returning land and respecting the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples provides significant restitution for the hundreds of broken treaties and the countless human rights violations committed by the United States of America. The movement, Land Back, also promotes making the world a healthier and safer place. The motivation for decolonization should focus on the benefits to Indigenous peoples and the restoration of justice. At the same time, Land Back is an excellent environmental policy. As if we needed another reason to support the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples in the United States, now you can add combatting climate change and improving human health to the myriad of reasons Indigenous communities should be central to environmental decision making.

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Climate Policy Lab2023, Native American Heritage Month 2023, Sarah Shahabi
Why is Killers of the Flower Moon relevant today?
Why is Killers of the Flower Moon relevant today?

Killers of the Flower Moon is a gripping true story brought to light by Fletcher alum David Grann. His investigations led to the unraveling of harsh, chronic injustices faced by one community in a systemically oppressive manner. Today, the story is gaining worldwide appreciation due to its film adaptation by critically acclaimed filmmaker, Martin Scorsese. In this article, I will briefly outline the plot of these horrific crimes and then identify the relevance of the book and movie in the 21st century; be aware as there are spoilers.

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Climate Policy Lab2023, Native American Heritage Month 2023, Community Voices, Author - Neeraja Kulkarni