Window of Opportunity. From the “Leaders’ Summit on Climate” to Glasgow 2021.
After rejoining the Paris Agreement in January 2021, the new U.S. administration invited 40 world leaders to a global climate summit on Earth Day, April 22nd. Underscoring the urgency – and the economic benefits – of stronger climate action, this “Leaders’ Summit on Climate” aims at nothing less than restoring the Earth. But are the United States, together with Europe, ready to take on the much-needed global climate leadership? What can we expect to happen in the run-up to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow later this fall? Will we really see accelerated global action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement?
We discussed these questions with Margie Alt and Nick Evans. Moderated by Geoff Dembicki. Introduction by Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director of Greenpeace International.
Margie Alt is a nationally recognized strategist, environmental campaigner, and coalition builder for more than 30 years. She has developed and led effective field operations, driven state and federal policy, and coordinated election campaigns to fight climate change, get clean energy onto the grid, protect public lands, increase protections for drinking water, elect more pro-environment decisionmakers and build a country that is more democratic, healthy, equitable, and sustainable. Margie Alt serves as the Campaign Director for the Climate Action Campaign, an unbranded coalition of 14 major national environmental, environmental justice and health organizations focused on winning bold federal action on climate and climate justice.
Nick Evans is a Researcher at Ecologic Institute, where he focuses on the evaluation of European and international climate governance systems and their effect on and connection with national climate actions. His further research interests include behavioral economics, sustainable consumption behavior and the psychology of climate change communication. Nick holds a BSc in psychology (with a double major in German Studies) from Davidson College, NC and a MA in environmental policy from the Freie Universität in Berlin. He is also a member of the US-based indie rock band, Stray Fossa.
Geoff Dembicki is a climate journalist based in Brooklyn. He is a regular contributor to VICE and author of 'Are We Screwed?' His newest book, 'The Lost Years', will be published in 2022.
Introduction:
Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director of Greenpeace International, is a leading expert on climate issues and civil society advocacy. Voted by Apolitical as one of the world's top 20 most influential people in climate policy, Morgan is currently the Executive Director of Greenpeace International. As well as managing the organisation, Jennifer is a public figure who represents Greenpeace in the media, and at moments ranging from UNFCCC meetings and the World Economic Forum, to strikes, marches and rallies around the world.