SB58

Bonn, Germany - June 2023
Image
Sophia Lamb

Sophia Lamb 23PH

SB58 Conference Delegate
Sophia graduated from the Rollins School of Public Health in May of 2023. As an MPH student in environmental health at Emory University, she learned about the effects of climate change on aspects such as health, equity and justice, policy, food security, and more.

While her courses included global climate aspects, she took a deeper dive into local effects and solutions to climate change working as a graduate assistant for the Georgia Climate Project (GCP). This position enabled Sophia to work with faculty, staff, and students from over 11 colleges and universities, to share climate-related research, initiatives, and stories within the state of Georgia. She recently assisted GCP in hosting the 2023 Georgia Climate Conference, in which over 500 individuals doing climate work and research came together to discuss how Georgia can minimize its risks and maximize its future. During Sophia’s time at the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH), she also worked as a graduate assistant for the RSPH Office of Student Affairs. As the Graduate Assistant for Student Leadership, she had the opportunity to produce a community needs assessment on how RSPH student organizations can make their event planning process more sustainable. 

At SB58, Sophia hopes to attend sessions and side events, gaining a deeper understanding of how climate change is not only impacting the world at a global scale, but also how it is impacting countries and regions at a more localized scale.

Image
Caitlin McConaghy

Caitlin McConaghy 23PH

SB58 Conference Delegate
Caitlin is a recent graduate from the Rollins School of Public Health, where she studied global environmental health with a focus on climate and health. Her interests include climate adaptation and health equity, as well as ecotoxicology, which was the focus of her thesis.

In her career, she hopes to drive sustainable global development by strengthening social and climate vulnerability assessments and delivering community resiliency solutions, with an emphasis on urban coastal areas. Her time at Emory taught her to carefully consider every stakeholder – their priorities, power, and alliances – so that she is prepared to discern the underlying interests driving the SB58 process. She hopes to see a stronger commitment towards fostering collective action for the next COP.

Image
Joe Owens

Joe Owens 23C

SB58 Conference Delegate
Joe graduated in May 2023 from Emory College with a BS in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Social Science & Policy. The courses he has taken at Emory have provided a background in the carbon market, international climate negotiations/policy, and the science behind climate targets. He is looking forward to seeing how climate tech and climate finance can fit into this context.
Image
Ellie Sulser

Ellie Sulser 23C

SB58 Conference Delegate
Ellie graduated in May 2023 from Emory College with a degree in Environmental Sciences. While at Emory, Ellie pursued a number of environmental policy courses that encouraged her to consider the many ways that institutional change develops at multiple scales, from local to international. In addition to specific topics like solar and wind energy and the role our oceans play in climate change and the climate transition.

Ellie is looking forward to observing the multi-year process of negotiations from one COP and SB to the next. Furthermore, she hopes to learn more about how to translate these high-level conversations and outcomes to domestic audiences. 

Outside of the ENVS department, Ellie was a member of the Emory University Chorus and Emory Crew. Looking ahead, she is planning to attend law school to further equip herself for a career in environmental law and policy.

Image
Sydney Warner

Sydney Warner 23C

SB58 Conference Delegate
Sydney graduated in May 2023 with a BS degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Health. Her research and studies in the environmental sciences department expanded and broadened her understanding of imminent issues surrounding climate and health such as biodiversity loss, air, water, and soil quality.

With the tools she has acquired as an undergraduate, she is hoping to engage in discussions that emphasize equity, health disparities, and climate resilience for marginalized groups at SB58. She intends to share her findings and lessons with her medical student cohort once she begins classes a few weeks after SB58 concludes. In her classes, extracurriculars, hospital and clinic visits, and in the community, she hopes to advocate for the inclusion and importance of climate/environmental health in medicine.

Sharm el Sheikh - November 2022

Image
Nick Chang

Nick Chang 24C

COP27 Delegate
Nick is a BS Environmental Sciences: Ecology & Conservation, Quantitative Sciences Minor at Emory. He is involved with the Emory Ecological Society, University Senate Committee on the Environment, and Department of Environmental Sciences.

He also conducts research in the Saikawa Lab and volunteers with Fernbank's forest restoration team.

Areas of interest at COP27: Biodiversity, adaptation of Indigenous and coastal communities to climate change

Image
Danni Dong

Danni Dong 23 MBA, PH

COP27 Delegate
Danni is a dual degree MBA/MSPH candidate interested in climate innovation and sustainable business practices. She previously interned with Atlanta Housing, where she created sustainable development policies for affordable housing.

Currently, Danni is collaborating with the EPA's Energy Management Forum to model the health impacts of decarbonization and electrification legislation. On campus, Danni led a student impact investing team, serving as a strategic and financial advisor for a local sustainable landscaping firm. She is also a Social Enterprise Fellow for Goizueta's Business and Society Institute, a leader of the Goizueta Sustainability Initiatives club, and was a Emory delegate at ClimateCAP 2022. Post graduation, Danni plans to enter management consulting and specialize in ESG strategy.

Areas of interest at COP27: Climate Innovation, Climate Finance

Image
Kashish Kalwani

Kashish Kalwani 23G

COP27 Delegate
Kashish is a student in the Laney Graduate School's Master of Development Practice with a Concentration in Non-Profit Management. As a student of development practice, Kashish is interested in sustainable environments and non-profit management. Having lived in five countries, she is curious about the intersection of diverse cultures and values and what does development look like to each country.

Kashish did her bachelor's from Miranda House, University of Delhi, with a major in English Literature and Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. She also has a diploma in the Indian Classical Dance form Bharatanatyam. Kashish has volunteered with several grassroots and development organizations such as GRAVIS, Robinhood Army, Sarvahitey, and Heifer International. Currently, Kashish is the president for the Emory University Global Development Student Council, a winner of the Global Health Case Competition 2022, a certified meditation instructor and an editor for the Heartfulness Magazine.

Areas of interest at COP27: Loss and Damage, Livelihoods, Urban development, Biodiversity, Gender, and Solutions

Image
Clare McCarthy

Clare McCarthy 23C

COP27 Delegate
Clare is an Environmental Sciences Major, Community Building & Social Change Minor and also pursuing the 4+1 BS/MPH in Environmental Health in the Rollins School of Public Health. She is involved in efforts to hold the Emory administration accountable to stronger climate action through the Emory Climate Coalition and Emory Climate Reality Project.

She is a member of the Ekenga lab at the Rollins School of Public Health, where she supports community-based environmental health research. Outside of environmental work, she is a Co-Director for Volunteer Emory's Alternative Breaks program and the Vice President of the Emory Gender Expansive and Women's Ultimate frisbee team. After Emory, she plans to pursue a career in public health and hopes to address the disparate impact of climate change on community health.

Areas of interest at COP27: Youth climate advocacy, climate and health, community-based climate action, climate justice (global and local), loss & damage

 

Image
Jack Miklaucic 23C

Jack Miklaucic 23C

COP27 Delegate
Jack Miklaucic is a senior in the Emory College of Arts and Sciences studying Environmental Sciences and Philosophy, Politics, and Law. He grew up outside of Philadelphia, PA and has called Charlotte, NC home for the past ten years.

At Emory, he sings in the University Chorus, works for the Writing Center, and volunteers in local K-12 schools as a Graduation Generation intern. He is also a leader within the Emory Climate Coalition, the Young Democrats of Emory, and the Emory Climate Analysis and Solutions Team. He is passionate about climate change and environmental justice issues and hopes to pursue a career in environmental law and policy. He is currently conducting research in Professor Saikawa’s lab for an honors thesis about state-level agricultural nitrogen management policies. In his free time, he enjoys playing card games and tennis as well as cooking and baking.

Areas of interest at COP27: Climate and energy/securing a just transition; climate and food/agriculture; and climate justice and corporate accountability

Image
Margaret Olawoyin

Margaret Olawoyin 23PH

COP27 Delegate
Margaret is a second-year graduate student at the Rollins School of Public Health pursuing her MPH in Environmental Health with a certificate in Climate and Health. She is also the Sustainability Coordinator for Rollins Environmental Health Action Coalition (REHAC) and the Social and Academic Co-Chair for the Association of Black Public Health Students (ABPHS).

She is involved in research with the GDEH on a NASA-funded field investigation led by EH department chair Dr. Yang Liu and Professor Jeremy Sarnat. Margaret is also a graduate research assistant overseeing the MAIA AMOD project. She takes backyard air quality measurements using inexpensive but high-quality instruments to examine the associations between ground level and satellite estimates of particulate matter and its chemical components. She recently became a member of Emory’s Climate Action Task Force on REHAC’s behalf, which aims to advance Emory’s climate goals.

Areas of interest at COP27: Climate Finance & Technology, Education and Youth, Loss and Damage, Global Stocktake, Innovation, Mitigation, Youth climate activism, Implementation

Image
Jackson Pentz

Jackson Pentz 23C

COP27 Delegate
Jackson Pentz is a senior from Connecticut double majoring in Environmental Science (Social Science & Policy Track) and Economics, and a member of the Environmental Management concentration with the Goizueta Business School. He is currently working on an honors thesis in economics exploring the intersection of American agriculture, policy, and race.

Outside of class, Jackson is involved in several extra-curricular organizations including Emory Economics Association, Sustainable Food Committee, Senate Committee on the Environment, ENVS Book Club, and Emory Club Soccer Team.

After graduation, he is looking forward to working at McKinsey & Company in St. Louis and helping clients across all sectors become more sustainable. Later, he hopes to pursue an MBA and eventually become an entrepreneur in the net-zero economy.

Areas of interest at COP27: Business and the Environment, Sustainable Food Systems, Land Use Changes, Public and Private Sector Collaboration

Image
Prachi Prasad

Prachi Prasad 23PH

COP27 Delegate
Prachi is a second-year MPH student at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory. She is pursuing a degree in Global Environmental Health with a concentration in Climate and Health. At Rollins, she serves as the MPH co-chair for the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee within the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health.

Additionally, she serves as the social media chair for Rollins APIDA (Asian Pacific Island Desi Students Association). She has a passion for research and is currently working on an Emory Global Health Institute-funded (EGHI) project related to disaster preparedness within the refugee community in Clarkston, Georgia. She is also a graduate research assistant in the Yang Liu Laboratory working on air pollution modeling related to warehousing and commerce in Southern California and Chicago.

Areas of interest at COP27: Environmental Justice, Loss & Damage, Air pollution mitigation and the Carbon Market/Economics of Climate Change

Image
Gabriela Rucker 23C

Gabriela Rucker 23C

COP27 Delegate
Gabriela is a major in Environmental Sciences on the Social Science & Policy track. At Emory, she is part of the Student Programming Council and currently leading a Sustainability Initiative to make events more eco-friendly through sourcing from ethical companies and following Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives waste guidance.

She is also part of Plastic Free Emory Taskforce which seeks to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic from Emory's campus. This year, she is a student member of the University Senate Committee on the Environment, specifically focusing on buildings and energy policy decisions at Emory. Off campus, Gabby has done research for an NRDC Action Fund called E2 on clean energy social transition policies in Colorado (her home state). Following graduation, she plans to work in project development for a renewable energy company.

Areas of interest at COP27: Decarbonization of the energy grid, sustainable agriculture, climate justice, and youth-led climate activism

Bonn Climate Conference - June 2022

Image
Leah Hartung

Leah Hartung 22C

Emory Delegate - June 2022SB56
I often feel as if there is a disconnect between grassroots, community-based organizations and global climate conferences and policy. At SB56, I'm hoping to bring the experiences of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis and also bring the lessons I learn about global climate policy back to my community.

Since going to summer camp in Wisconsin growing up, I have always been interested in the environment and knew I wanted to pursue it in college and beyond. The summer going into my first year at Emory, I read the book "Lake Effect" about the environmental injustice in my home county. I had heard of environmental racism happening in Flint, Michigan, and with the Dakota Access Pipeline, but never did I realize it was in my backyard. I have done many things related to the environment from prairie restoration to environmental health and safety. Still, I discovered that my true passion is ensuring everyone has to access to the beautiful environment I was so lucky to experience every summer. When I was sent home from study abroad in Copenhagen in March of 2020, I joined a grassroots environmental justice organization in my home county, Clean Power Lake County. Originally created to provide a just transition for the coal plant on our lakefront, we have since expanded to address all the environmental racism in our county from toxic chemical releases to electrifying our bus fleet. Recently, we aided in passing in Illinois the most equitable climate bill in the nation. Now, I am moving to D.C. to work as a climate change and sustainability researcher to ensure our planet is livable for generations to come. 

I came to Emory because of our environmental science program. I wanted a school that took an interdisciplinary approach to environmental science, and Emory does just that. Taking classes about the history of the Earth to modern environmental policy puts in perspective just how unique of a time we live in.The focus on the liberal arts, particularly during my time at Oxford College, has developed my writing and critical thinking skills. I have been so fortunate to work with world-class professors that have challenged the way I understand climate change and its solutions, giving me a more nuanced understanding.

Course of study at Emory: Environmental Sciences and Economics

Image
Ben Levitt

Ben Levitt 22C

Emory Delegate - June 2022SB56
I am interested in aligning economic incentives by designing bold climate policies that simultaneously work to alleviate poverty, improve environmental welfare, harness human ingenuity, and build a more just and inclusive society. More specifically, the topics with which I have past research experience include sustainable development, climate finance and carbon markets, as well as urban climate policies and the role of cities in mitigating climate change.

During my time at Emory, I took courses related to climate change in several disciplines and departments. I interned for multiple organizations taking action on the climate crisis, I participated regularly in Emory Climate Talks events and programming. Additionally, I authored an in-depth blog post analyzing the carbon market agreement at the recent COP26. Over the last few years, I also built many relationships with student leaders, faculty and staff members, community members in metro Atlanta, and members of the Emory alumni community around the world as part of a shared mission to advance climate justice, research, and advocacy. However, where I learned the most was through my involvement as a leader in student climate organizations at Emory and with the UN's RCE chapter in Metro Atlanta. My experiences at Emory provided me with a strong background and diverse skill set that will prepare me for SB56.

In Bonn, I hope to learn more about the intricacies of the international climate negotiation process and how smaller negotiations such as SB56 create pathways for major breakthroughs such as the recent COP26 in Glasgow. I also look forward to meeting NGO leaders and fellow university students and alumni working to advance local climate solutions around the world. I am particularly excited to witness the role of NGOs and universities within international institutions such as the UNFCCC. Lastly, I look forward to discussions with the other participants from the Emory delegation as we think critically about the SB56 experience and explore how global power imbalances between poor and wealthy countries create roadblocks within international climate negotiations. I would like to discuss our ideas for new paths forward to advance equitable climate targets around the world.

Major(s) at Emory: History and Economics

Image
Eleanor Partington

Eleanor Partingon 22C

Emory Delegate - June 2022SB56
I am interested in local and state level climate policy in the US, especially regarding urbanism and environmental health. In my career, I hope to use public policy to craft a more equitable and livable future.

At Emory, I closely followed the negotiations of COP26 in the class Climate Change & Society. In my political science classes, I learned how to interpret and analyze policy, and in my environmental science classes, I learned which policies are needed to address the multi-pronged crises that come with a changing climate.

At SB 56, I hope to gain further insight into the parties' actions after the closing of COP in the fall. Seeing the many organizations and countries strategize how to put the Paris Agreement into action will be a thrillingly tangible experience after years of reading on the subject.

Major(s) at Emory: Environmental Sciences and Political Science

Image
Erin Phillips

Erin Phillips 22C

Emory Delegate - June 2022SB56
I am interested in the public health impacts of climate change. More specifically, I’m interested in pursuing research on how climate change impacts food systems, and how that, in turn impacts overall food security and equity.

I’ve learned everything I know about climate and climate policy through my coursework at Emory. Not only have I learned about the science behind climate change and the many things that are impacted by the climate, but also about the governing bodies that guide climate related decision making. Beyond that foundational knowledge, my involvement with the Emory Climate Coalition allowed me to participate in negotiations on a university wide scale and attend meetings specifically related to climate change mitigation and adaptation at Emory. I’m excited to similar happenings on a much larger scale and hope to see some impactful conversation and the start to meaningful change while at SB56.

Major(s) at Emory: Environmental Sciences with a minor in Global Health, Culture, and Society

COP 26 - Glasgow, Scotland

Emory Climate Talks students participated in COP26 remotely in 2021 as travel restrictions and concerns about COVID prevented travel. Emory students served as moderators at the Zero Emissions Solutions Conference organized by SDSN - The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The theme of the 2021 ZESC was Key Climate Solutions for the Decade of Action. 

Emory Climate Talks students also created a virtual side exhibit focused on the climate interests and initiatives of Emory students.

Join Emory Climate Talks at the Zero Emissions Solutions Conference for a conversation with youth activists.

Join Emory Climate Talks at the Zero Emissions Solutions Conference for a conversation about food waste and anaerobic digestion.

Emory Students Share Their Climate Action Plans

Meet the Program Director
Image
Eri Saikawa, PhD

Eri Saikawa, PhD

Director of Emory Climate Talks & Faculty Advisor
Eri Saikawa, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Emory University and the Director of Emory Climate Talks. Professor Saikawa's research is diverse covering areas of atmospheric chemistry, environmental health, biogeochemistry, climate science, environmental policy/politics. In addition to her work with Emory Climate Talks, she also serves as a Co-Director of the Resilience and Sustainability Collaboratory.