Highlights from the 2023 U.N. Climate Summit in Dubai

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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.

Profs Nicholas Breyfogle and Bart Elmore with Ohio State Students at John Glenn International Airport

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 standing in front of sign at Climate Summit

Ohio State students on day 1 of COP.

 

people sitting on a panel at front of a room while an audience of people sits at tables

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, Mayor Ginther and Professors Breyfogle and Elmore

Ohio State students, Professors Breyfogle and Elmore, along with Mayor Andrew Ginther in Dubai

Ohio State student speaking with Mayor Ginther while Prof. Breyfogle looks on

An Ohio State University student speaks with Mayor Ginther while Prof. Breyfogle looks on.

Ohio State student speaking 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.

The Ohio State group met with the state Department Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues Abby Finkenauer and Deputy Special Envoy Alexandra Nemerh.


 

Youth and the Role of Universities in Fostering Climate Solutions announcement

Professor Elmore and students attended the Youth and the Role of Universities in Fostering Climate Solutions session.

students at a session

 


Out and About in Dubai

Ohio State students in Dubai

 

Ohio State students show their id tags

 

group of students with Profs. Elmore and Breyfogle

In The Media

Professors Breyfogle and Elmore were interviewed by several media outlets about the trip. 

Ohio State Students forming O-H-I-O stance standing on sand in Dubai

O-H-I-O