COP26-Bound

MISSION : POSSIBLE

In November, the most influential figures in the climate change movement converged on Scotland. President Biden was there. French President Emmanuel Macron was there. Pope Francis was there.

And so was The Wild Center, and our Youth Climate Program.

We sent six college students and recent grads, as well as three members of our leadership team, to Glasgow for COP26, the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties. Our goals: To observe leaders from 197 countries address climate change, and to be sure those leaders heard youth voices loud and clear.

We had a front-row seat, as our badges gave us inside access to panels and discussions closed to the public. (Only two museums in the world had the access we did.)

WHAT IS COP26?

Addressing climate change takes an international effort. Every year, nations gather to negotiate rules governing greenhouse gas emissions and other topics. More than 20,000 people came to Glasgow.

WHY DID WE GO?

The Wild Center is a leader in the climate change education movement. Since 2009, we’ve helped students host Youth Climate Summits in 45 communities in six countries, from the Adirondacks to Sri Lanka.

Young people belong at the table when decisions on climate change actions are being made. Because soon, youth will lead those actions. In fact, our Summits and Summiteers have already driven significant change.

In going to Scotland, we wanted to be sure world leaders kept youth in mind while hammering out pacts on carbon capture markets and other goals. But we also wanted our youth delegates to see how power works, network with other prominent figures in this space, and return home with new ideas and energy to carry out this work in their own communities. M

MEET OUR YOUTH DELEGATES

Some of our delegates are still in college; others have graduated and are working in environmentally focused careers. All have been doing this work for years—and know that youth are capable of driving real change, right now.

ANDREW FAGERHEIM

Homer, NY | Columbia University “This is a critical time for international cooperation on climate action, and I’m excited to discuss how young people can deliver meaningful change.”

GINA FIORILE

Saranac Lake | Climate Literacy & Energy Awareness Network, UC-Boulder “It is past time to take action on climate change! We have a moral obligation to tackle this issue, as it affects everybody, everywhere.”

ELISE PIERSON

Lake Placid | St. Lawrence University “Even if we’re still in school, we can turn passion to action—as long as we’re given room to speak and tools to create change.”

SILAS SWANSON

Saranac Lake | Columbia University “So many students have come through the Youth Climate Program before me. I’m excited to represent them—and return home with new ideas and energy to share.”

WITTER SWANSON

Saranac Lake | Sustainable Energy Advantage “COP26 presents an opportunity to connect our large network of local action to a global scale.”

EMMA VENARDE

NYC | Brown University “Our lives will be impacted by decisions made today. Our presence at COP is critical, because we know what an uncertain future feels like.”

In addition, Wild Center Executive Director Stephanie Ratcliffe; Karen Thomas, chair of our Board of Trustees; and Jen Kretser, director of climate initiatives, also attended.

CATCH UP ON WHAT HAPPENED

By the time you get this, COP26 will be complete. Visit wildcenter.org/cop26 to watch videos and read updates from our delegates.