During COP28, I had the opportunity to listen to numerous inspiring speakers and presenters who shared insightful tidbits of information and expressed hope regarding their efforts in addressing the climate crisis. As a result, I decided to start writing down the quotes I heard. Some of these quotes are from individuals within the Week 1 delegation as well. There were numerous instances where we would debrief our days at COP in the living room, and some would share powerful thoughts that I couldn’t help but take note of.
“You have to stay fluid with your story until it settles” – Diane Wilson
“You can’t impact the climate crisis without empowering the women of the world” – John Kerry
“Namaste means the light inside my soul honors the light inside your soul”
“If you judge people you cannot love people”
“Stories are the new oil”
I am deeply honored to be granted the opportunity to attend COP28 this year with Climate Generation. I have always been curious about learning how I can impact my own community, especially with knowledge that might not be readily accessible or available to others. When I started volunteering/working with Climate Gen, I realized that there were so many unjust environmental issues happening around my community. The correlation between health disparities in areas that experience environmental injustice was strong. Though I am a nursing major, I am also on the pre-medicine track and hope to use my uniquely acquired skills from both my career path and this international event to help the people within my own community become healthy and environmentally conscious individuals.
Yvonne is a Climate Generation Window Into COP delegate for COP28. To learn more, we encourage you to meet the full delegation and subscribe to the Window Into COP digest.