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Vanderbilt Climate Change Initiative

Vanderbilt at COP25 in Madrid, Spain!

Vanderbilt students participated in the 25th Conference of the Parties (“COP25”)to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Madrid, Spain in December 2019.  During this life-changing trip in which students interacted daily with people from nearly 197 nations including many indigenous populations (all under one roof!), Vanderbilt students:

  • met with members of the U.S. Congressional delegation including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Representative Betty McCollum
  • met with U.S. Department of State Chief Negotiator, Climate Change, Kim Carnahan
  • were interviewed by the BBC News
  • presented during a side event
  • witnessed an interview with Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano live-streamed from the international space station to the United Nations COP.
  • met and heard from leading researchers and political figures the students had studied during the semester course, including Lord Nicolas Stern, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, and many, many more.

To support continued opportunities for VU students at the COP, please consider a donation to VCCI.  Your contribution supports student travel to — and learning and inspiration at — the UNFCCC COP. Click on the “Donate Now” button to make a donation.