Climate Generation is excited to introduce our delegation of twelve climate leaders from across the United States that will attend the UN’s international climate negotiations (COP27) in Egypt this November.
At COP27, world leaders will continue to strategize on the rulebook for the Paris Agreement, which was ratified and signed in 2015. Our Window into COP27 delegation represents Climate Generation and the professional organization’s they belong to –– each supporting Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). ACE is the specific goal within the Paris Agreement to empower all members of society to engage in climate action through education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation on these issues. Last year at COP26, our delegation and partners pushed for the integration of ACE into the Glasgow Work Programme. This year we will continue to push for the advancement of ACE as part of the whole of society climate strategy, support and elevate frontline community voices, and advocate for adequate Loss and Damage financial investment.
Our work at Climate Generation is grounded the principles of ACE – since 2006, we have been igniting and sustaining the ability of educators, youth, and communities to act on the systems perpetuating the climate crisis across Minnesota and beyond. The Window into COP program elevates the critical role that an engaged, educated, and activated society holds in pushing the just and equitable action that is needed. Our delegation is a member of the official U.S. ACE Coalition, a group of organizations, institutions, and experts working to accelerate just, efficient, all-of-society action towards a climate-safe future.
Meet our Delegates
Founder, EcoSpectrum
Sustainable Ocean Alliance — Secretary and Representative of Egypt
“I believe that collaboration and community empowerment are key to long lasting systemic change which we urgently need to achieve a national impact on both the energy transition and ecosystem restoration and recovery. Climate Generation’s work correlates with my beliefs that stand for vulnerable members of our society to be represented and heard in global climate discussions through climate education and awareness.”
Stanford University
“I hope to uplift the Action for Climate Empowerment goals of educating the public around climate justice, specifically as a young person. I aim to bring into light issues around climate and health while pushing for concrete goals and solutions from our world leaders at COP.”
Photographer and Director, Martin Froger Studio
“I firmly believe that developing climate education, increasing public participation, and fostering international collaboration are key to achieving actionable and equitable solutions to the many issues that climate change creates and exacerbates. I am excited to join this year’s Climate Generation cohort to meet international youth, leaders, and activists, learn from their efforts at home, and find ways to collaborate across borders.”
Executive Director, Dream in Green
“I am excited to represent the work of Action for Climate Empowerment at COP27 because it directly impacts my community as we have done work locally that focuses on education, training, public participation, and coordination of networks – all of which are elements of ACE. This will allow me to learn how others are implementing its principals globally.”
National Director, International Student Environmental Coalition
“I have never been to Egypt or Africa before, and I am looking forward to being more effective at this COP in terms of lobbying and diplomacy.”
Vice President – Community Solar Development, New Energy Equity
“The American youth climate movement is essential to pushing both domestic and international policy. Joining to share my expertise with activists on the front lines and influences, showcasing how the energy transition can be more equitable by democratizing energy with solar power.”
Executive Director, Climate Generation
“I am so honored to be a part of Climate Generation’s COP27 delegation and I am looking forward to bearing witness to the voices of the people most impacted by this climate crisis.”
Policy Manager, The Climate Initiative
“I believe that in order to achieve truly equitable climate solutions, public participation at all levels must be accessible. That accessibility must include education and outreach, and I’m excited to bring my experience and perspective of doing that in the Pacific and across the U.S. to COP27.”
Founder, Girl Plus Environment
“I know that the only way we can work to address climate change is if we prioritize the needs and voices of communities most vulnerable to and impacted by climate change. I also understand how critical the representation of someone like myself is at a conference like this for encouraging other Black women to feel empowered to take action on climate and to hold global leaders accountable to being equitable in their decisions around climate.”
Youth Engagement Manager, The Climate Initiative
Founder and Director, Youth Climate Collaborative
“I work daily to advance ACE, which I believe has the chance to increase public care, support, and action for climate, if structured and financed well. ACE empowers people to engage in climate action through education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation, which are all crucial for involving the average person in climate action.”
Follow Along: International Climate Policy for Everyone
Our Window into COP27 program follows these twelve delegates as they blog, photograph, video capture, and livestream the negotiations –– sharing the impact, solutions, and people behind climate change solutions and action around the world. Whether you are new to the climate movement or have been here for a while, our daily email digests and first-access content from COP27 will keep you in-the-know on what’s happening with international climate policy.
On the heels of COP26 in Glasgow and the United State’s Inflation Reduction Act, it is more important than ever that an international system is solidified for implementing policies and financing for climate mitigation and adapting to the loss and damage created by climate catastrophe, alongside increasing and strengthening the Paris Agreement greenhouse gas reduction commitments.
“It is incumbent upon us in these uncertain times to act swiftly to ensure that climate action remains on top of the international agenda, and that the current state of affairs is not taken as a pretext to backtrack or renege on previous commitments, especially those related to supporting developing countries.”
– His Excellency Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foregin Affairs and President-Designate of COP27
Kristen Iverson Poppleton is the Senior Director of Programs for Climate Generation. She is a fourth generation St. Paulite, and in her spare time loves to be in the boreal forest with her husband, two children and Lab, canoeing, hiking, nordic skiing, or with her nose in a new novel.