2015 – COP21 (Paris)
Four Cornell researchers participated in COP 21 in Paris.
The 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris brought the world together to address climate change at a time when science and ethics are converging on the critical necessity for nations to act individually for the best interest of all. Climate change and its current and anticipated impacts are among Cornell’s climate change research, education, and outreach programs. Cornell’s delegation (below) to COP21 provided a spotlight into the depth and breadth of the challenge – and the immense energy focused on finding solutions. From critical thinking about human dimensions of climate change, to methane’s role in rising GHGs, to soil-based solutions and climate-resilient agriculture, Cornell’s thought-leaders brought energy, passion, and innovative thinking, to the Paris conference.
Events
12/3: Climate Change, Agroecology, Nutrition and Food Security (Africa Pavilion)
Cornell, along with the United Nations Development Programme, the French Institute of Research for Development, and the International Food Policy Research Institute, hosted an official side event for world leaders, at which Johannes Lehmann delivered a talk, “Food Security Interventions for Mitigating Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Allison Chatrchyan moderated the panel.
12/3: Presentation to Unions Against Fracking
Bob Howarth and world anti-fracking leaders addressed fracking and its failure as a “bridge” fuel renewables.
12/7: Methane’s Role in the Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Shale Gas (Webcast)
bob Howarth participated in a webcast to over 500 colleges and universities in the US, organized by the Xavier Green School Movement.
12/10: International Anti-Frackng Summit—Not Here, Not Anywhere
Bob Howarth participated in a presentation organized by Friends of the Earth Europe, Eathworks, Stop the Frack Attack, Food and Water Water, and Attac France.
Cornell Delegation
Allison Chatrchyan, Cornell Institute for Climate Change and Agriculture, Director
Chatrchyan, the director of the Cornell Institute for Climate Change and Agriculture and a fellow with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, is a social scientist with a background in international environmental politics and policy.
“COP21 will establish binding agreement on climate change.”
Johannes Lehmann, Soil and Crop Sciences
Lehmann is a professor of soil and biogeochemistry and soil fertility management in Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and a fellow with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. Dr. Lehmann specializes in soil organic matter, soil carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions and soil fertility.
“Soils a top priority”
Robert Howarth, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Howarth, the David R. Atkinson Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and a fellow with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future has studied global warming for 40 years. His research focuses on methane as a greenhouse gas, and demonstrated large methane emissions from the natural gas industry, particularly from shale development. (http://howarthlab.org/)
“Reduction of both carbon dioxide and methane is key”
Karen Pinkus, Romance Studies and Comparative Literature
Pinkus is a professor of romance studies and comparative literature in Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences Department of Romance Studies and a member of the faculty advisory board with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. Pinkus is fluent in French, English and Italian, and has been writing and teaching about the relation of the humanities and climate change for the past decade.
“Philosophical and critical thought needed to further geo-engineering”
Video (31 seconds)
– Video (2:10)
– Video in Italian (2:17)