![UC delegates hosted an exhibit that highlighted the ocean’s reach on global climate. UC delegates hosted an exhibit that highlighted the ocean’s reach on global climate.](https://scripps.ucsd.edu/sites/scripps.ucsd.edu/files/basic-page/field-body-images-and-text/2019/booth-cop24_0.jpg)
In the UFO-shaped Spodek arena, the UC delegates hosted an exhibit that highlighted the ocean’s reach on global climate. The exhibit allowed Scripps students and UC affiliates to connect with delegates from around the globe and raise awareness about the importance of ocean and climate science being included in global policy decisions.
One meaningful interaction occurred when Tibetan delegate Zamlha Tempa Gyaltsen stopped by the UC exhibit to drop off a hand-signed letter from His Holiness the Dalai Lama—a well-known champion for climate science with deep connections to UC San Diego. In the letter, His Holiness thanked the COP24 delegates for striving to create a “better environment for the world so that future generations will be able to live a healthy, happy life.” He also urged humanity to recognize that climate change affects everyone on Earth and that we must take serious action now.
UC delegates also led six press conferences and participated in other side-events to communicate the latest scientific research on topics ranging from ocean deoxygenation to geoengineering to the value of deep ocean observation networks, and more.
“The conference is an enlightening experience that comes with a sense of worldly connectedness and inspires nations to collectively work toward changes for the good of humankind,” said Scripps PhD student Tashiana Osborne, a two-time attendee of the UN climate talks.
Osborne said she’s still hopeful that nations can work together to address climate change but was concerned to witness “how slow-moving and challenging it can be for responsible political actions to be taken.”
At COP24, she and fellow Scripps PhD students Kara Voss and Meredith Fish held a press conference to discuss the science behind atmospheric rivers and extreme weather patterns linked to climate change.
“It is very important for the world to see students, researchers, and top STEM programs like Scripps invested in global climate change issues,” said Osborne. “It's imperative to demonstrate that there are those of us in the United States who remain dedicated to learning about and helping address parts of the climate crisis.”
COP24 marked the third UN-led climate talk attended by Osinachi Ajoku, a Scripps PhD student studying climate science. His research focuses on how aerosol particles produced from biomass burning affect climate patterns in Africa.
Ajoku said that attending three conference sessions has given him a holistic outlook on how countries address climate change by factors such as culture, location, and economic standing.
“It has also allowed me a unique perspective of how countries in Africa are progressing in climate change relative to the rest of the world since that region is the focus of my research,” said Ajoku, a Los Angeles native with roots in Nigeria—which he says makes his African research feel more personal.
![Scripps delegates serve as panelists for a discussion at the UN's Sustainable Development Goals Pavilion. Scripps delegates serve as panelists for a discussion at the UN's Sustainable Development Goals Pavilion.](https://scripps.ucsd.edu/sites/scripps.ucsd.edu/files/basic-page/field-collections/field-body-images-and-text/2019/un-panel.jpg)
While at COP24, Ajoku served as a panelist for a discussion at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Pavilion on the topic of investing in education for the future of sustainable energy. The panel was moderated by Scripps alumna Megan Bettilyon (MAS ‘10) of philanthropic investment fund Global Good and also included Scripps postdoctoral scholar Yassir Eddebbar, Osborne, and Yale student Holden Leslie-Bole as panelists.
Each panelist underscored the importance of educating the youth about climate change and discussed the increasingly vital role of science communication to inform and inspire communities to tackle the massive problem of climate change on a local level.
“When something's outside of your control, you have to focus on what you can control,” said Ajoku, responding to an audience member’s question about how to garner support in his home country of Mozambique. “I'm a big believer in ground works, so I think the best thing to do is work on a local level, to bring the community together and teach them about climate change. I think this would actually go a long way.”
The University of California has been sending delegations to COP for the past 17 years, and the continued effort has already made noticeable waves. Giron noted that this year, many members of the UC delegation had talks with other delegates who have read a scientific paper on ocean-related Nationally Determined Contributions that was written by Scripps’ Natalya Gallo and Lisa Levin, and GPS’ David Victor—all former participants in the climate conference and members of the UC delegation.
“Every year Scripps gains more presence among delegations and brings the spotlight to the oceans,” said Giron. “COP24 was an opportunity for me to dig deeper into learning how negotiations work, get to know more delegates, and confirm that I want to be part of such processes from a scientific perspective in the near future.”
Montgomery echoed Giron’s sentiments on the importance of having UC delegates involved in the annual conference.
“I got to know people on this trip whose research has some amazing real-world applications,” she said. “The more chances they have to share it with policymakers, the better off we'll all be.”
Scripps supporters Ellen Lehman and Charlie Kennel, Gail Fliesbach, David and Peg Engel, and Global Good provided funding to send the Scripps delegates to COP24.
— Brittany Hook
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