Blogs

[This post is part of a series offered by IECA members attending COP22 in Marrakech.]

Marrakech is certainly an atmospheric location for COP22 and the old town Medina, the souks, pumping music and motorbikes provide a marked contrast to the highly structured and sedate environment of the COP. 

Much of the discussion in the UNFCCC events is generally dry and technical, as befits a UN mega-event.

The reporting at both the multilateral assessments and Ad Hoc Committee on implementation was as dry as the surrounding Marrakech desert.

[This post is part of a series offered by IECA members attending COP22 in Marrakech.]

Today is gender day at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), COP 22.  With that in mind, I would like to share a few thoughts about gender, environmental justice, and connections to climate change.  I attended a panel sponsored by the Women and Gender Constituency, which focused on technical, non-technical, and transformative approaches to addressing gender and climate change.  Women's leadership in all parts of the world is essential for how we understand and deal with climate change, which is even more on my mind given last week's election in the United States.

[This post is part of a series offered by IECA members attending COP22 in Marrakech.]

At COP21 last year, a strained air of defiance and urgency permeated Paris, still reeling from the lethal Nov. 13 terrorist attacks launched by extremist forces under the guise of Islam. COP21 delegates and other visitors arriving in the City of Light a scant two weeks later were greeted by constant reminders of the attacks: impromptu shrines to the victims, police tape across bombed restaurants, the very visible and heavily armed security presence, and banners proclaiming "Je suis en terrasse" as French citizens reclaimed their public spaces.

IECA members and colleagues:  I write on the morning after the U. S. Presidential election.  The American voters have elected Donald Trump to the highest office in our country.  As we all think about the many ramifications of that electoral decision, I want to pose this proposition to you--

IECA is needed, now more than ever.

Hi all,

The IECA board election ends this Friday, November 11.  It's an important civic duty not just for our communities, but our organization's health as well.

I'll be at the UN Convention on Climate Change next week, so expect to be hearing more from me then.

Thanks,

Stacey Sowards

IECA board member until 2017

Professor & Chair, Department of Communication

The University of Texas at El Paso