In Nov. 2022, Angela Rosellini-Labombarde and Ebone Smith, graduate students in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, attended a United Nations climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Now, thanks to a graduate student seed grant from the Data Institute for Societal Challenges, they will share their experiences, advice and insights with OU students interested in the conference and the changing climate.
Every year, the United Nations hosts a Conference of Parties to review the implementation of their 1992 framework, which protects the planet from anthropogenic climate change, mitigates damage associated with climate change, promotes sustainable development and continually revises commitments and progress from all involved parties.
“Getting to attend COP is the best way to immerse yourself in what global climate priorities and actions are,” Rosellini-Labombarde said. “Ebone and I are both in geography and environmental sustainability, so this is ‘the’ conference to attend.”
At COP, observers gain insight into global priorities, stakeholder concerns, and high priority research topics relevant to international climate policy. They also hear the most up-to-date data, statistics and qualitative research around climate change.
“It was also a great way to network with people from outside the United States,” Smith said. “Because, as we know, climate change is happening everywhere.”
With their newfound insight into international climate affairs, they will be able to broaden the application of their individual research projects to address climate change on a local, regional, and international scale.
“Because it’s so difficult to attend this conference, we also wanted to share the knowledge we gained with our department and even across the university. We didn’t just want to add this experience to our CVs,” Rosellini-Labombarde said.
To reach a larger audience of students interested in UN priorities and climate research, they will hold a brown bag lunch session later this spring with graduate and undergraduate students in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences.
“We want to talk about what COP is, how we got to go, what we learned, and how to plan ahead for this year’s COP in Dubai,” Rosellini-Labombarde said. “We also want to share how students can get observer status, how to apply and how to get funding to attend.”
A portion of the seed grant will also help Smith conduct focus group research in Oklahoma City, which includes travel, supplemental materials, and transcription services for respondent feedback.
“I’m so grateful for this grant,” Smith said. “I’m really excited to work with DISC, to host the brown bag luncheon and to help facilitate my focus group research on environmental justice.”
