Spring 2014 Climate Change Series
By Susan Wiedel
The Global Studies Center successfully launched the first Climate Change Series, titled “The Politics of Climate Change.” January through March 2014, Pitt students and faculty attended four debate sessions with UN and NGO officials, including UN Ambassador Ahmad Kamal of Pakistan, and participated in discussions concerning the complexities of climate change policy, the UN’s role in policy implementation, and the participation of human rights activists in the discussion. A short list of readings to prepare for the dialogue was prepared by Dr. Roger Rouse and sociology Professor Jackie Smith.
Spear-headed by Pitt sociology Professor Jackie Smith, the series increased students’ knowledge of the global climate change debate and brought together a broad spectrum of the Pitt community. “It is essential that students understand how people in different countries are affected by the problem of global warming as well as how those in different parts of the world see the U.S. role in creating the problem.” She stressed that climate change influences most aspects of society, and therefore poses a monumental challenge. Smith stated. “We really need to think about major transformations of our economic practices and most aspects of society in order to protect large segments of the human population.”
The series also emphasized the legislative difficulties that environmental advocates face throughout the world. Sree Kodavatiganti, a graduate student at GSPIA and the School of Public Health, promoted the series on campus through the undergraduate Model UN. As the group’s graduate student advisor, Kodavatiganti believed that the Global Climate Change Series would enable organizations and students on campus to gain awareness of the controversial nature of the international debate concerning climate change. By surrounding themselves in an environment of differing opinions, “It pushed the students who were there to defend their positions,” said Kodavatiganti. He stressed that since there is no uniform view concerning climate change, it is important for students to learn how to interact with someone with an opposing opinion in a productive manner. “The officials pushed the students to say why they believed what they did; why lawmakers should care about climate change now; and we can say because people’s lives are at stake. This discussion between people of various backgrounds and opinions is really what the series was all about.”
Nick Goodfellow, a senior Urban Studies major, recognized this firsthand. “I remember in the first meeting, I watched some of my friends lose it when Ambassador Kamal said he does not believe in climate change,” said Goodfellow. “He definitely brought a different perspective to the conversation, one that is legitimate, and one that you have to consider when you go about making policy about climate change.” Goodfellow also gained a fuller understanding of the human rights issues believed to be an outcome of global climate change.
Much of the discussion revolved around how a disproportionate number of countries are poor and will be most severely affected by climate change—and yet, they contribute least to the problem. Since climate change is an issue that has the potential to affect all people, the series stressed why it is important for all people to get involved. Moving forward, Goodfellow values the series as a critical learning experience. “The series allowed me to gain insight into what they believe the best route for a citizen would be to push leaders to make change.”