On Sunday, December 3, 2023, Professors Bart Elmore and Nicholas Breyfogle left Columbus for Dubai along with a group of Ohio State students. This began the travel phase of the new Politics of Climate: the United Nations Summit education abroad program, generously sponsored by the Mershon Center, College of Arts and Humanities, and Ronald and Deborah Ratner Award. The goal of the trip is to allow students to view these important talks between hundreds of countries and territories to address climate change at the annual summit known as the Conference of the Parties, or COP. It is the culmination of a new autumn semester course on the history and global politics of climate change.
Professors Nicholas Breyfogle, Bart Elmore and Ohio State students prepare to leave at John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio.
In advance of the trip to Dubai, Professors Bart Elmore and Nick Breyfogle were guests on The National News Business Extra podcast, discussing the history of COP and the upcoming COP28 in Dubai.
Ohio State students on day 1 of COP.
Scene from day 1 of COP.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther attended the talks. In advance of his trip, he was interviewed by Bloomberg. During the interview when asked who he was looking forward to meeting, in addition to world leaders, he said, "One of the groups I'm most interested in, believe it or not, are in my city and I haven't met with them yet. I had to come all the way to Dubai. They’re students from the Ohio State University. I'm excited to meet with them to hear their ideas and to hear how we can engage them in taking our climate action work to the next level." Read the full article.
Ohio State students, Professors Breyfogle and Elmore, along with Mayor Andrew Ginther in Dubai
An Ohio State University student speaks with Mayor Ginther while Prof. Breyfogle looks on.
O-H-I-O!
The Ohio State group met with the state Department Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues Abby Finkenauer and Deputy Special Envoy Alexandra Nemerh.
Professor Elmore and students attended the Youth and the Role of Universities in Fostering Climate Solutions session.
Out and About in Dubai
In The Media
Professors Breyfogle and Elmore were interviewed by several media outlets about the trip.
- Business Extra: Climate Edition - The History of COP, The National News, Nov. 29, 2023
- The Ohio Mayor Looking for Climate Solutions at COP28 in Dubai, Bloomberg, Dec. 5, 2023
- Tech Tuesday: Looking at Cyberattacks Against Major Organizations, WOSU, Dec. 19, 2023
- Ohio State Students Travel to Dubai for Climate Conference, Ohio State News, Jan. 4, 2024
- OSU Going Overseas: Breyfogle and Elmore Discuss Dubai and COP 28, Voices of Excellence, March 13, 2024
- From the Classroom to COP28: Glenn College Student Takes on the UN Climate Summit, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, March 18, 2024
O-H-I-O