Students voice hope and concern at Warwick Climate Negotiating Forum
The inaugural (WCNF) took place at the University across two days last month. Run by students and led by , the student-run online journal at the School for Cross-faculty Studies, this project was the first of its kind at the University. The event gave students the opportunity to experience global climate negotiations first-hand, in a setting that encouraged a rounded learning experience by inviting guest speakers and offering a number of workshops.
WCNF 2019 simulated the United Nations' annual negotiations, assessing progress in dealing with climate change. Students applied to become delegates, representing one of fourteen nations or the European Union in teams. Delegates worked to negotiate a broad range of goals compatible with 1.5 degrees of global warming.
The event began on Friday 25 October 2019 with a keynote address by , currently one of two Green Party members of the House of Lords and leader of the party from 2012 to 2016.
Starting now with the bad news.
— Natalie Bennett (@natalieben)
I am going to bring in the good news: there are enough resources in the world for everyone to have a decent life and care for the planet.
The session on the Friday also included a Delegates' Welcome from Vice President of WCNF Kasia Jaworska, a second year Life Sciences and GSD student, and a President's Welcome from Todd Olive, a final year Economic Studies and GSD student.
鈥淚t is our hope that by joining us at this groundbreaking forum, you鈥檒l be able to go out into the world next Monday and make a difference鈥 -
— Warwick Climate Negotiating Forum (@WarwickCNF)
On Saturday 26 October 2019, the forum welcomed Dr Jess Savage, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Global Sustainable Development, who delivered a talk on climate change and biodiversity. Dr Alastair Smith, another Senior Teaching Fellow in our Department also took to the stage, presenting on globalism, nationalism and climate policy.
The delegates are arriving! Here are some of the delegates representing Chile today for the climate negotiations
— Warwick Climate Negotiating Forum (@WarwickCNF)
Skills-based workshops on the Saturday included a session from the , inviting participants to explore key techniques founded in behavioural science, for encouraging and influencing individuals鈥 behaviours, in support of global climate action.
An excellent example of politics in action! Climate Negotiations are well underway at
— Jess (@MajessticallyS)
Hear from the delegates
Todd Olive
Forum President
Economic Studies and GSD student
Kasia Jaworska
Vice President
Life Sciences and GSD student
Lucy Jordan
President's Squad
PPE student
Manveer Gill
President's Squad
Mathematics student
Ismini-Anna Pnevmatikaki
President's Squad
GSD and Business Studies student
Georgia Wedgbury
Marketing Co-Ordinator
Philosophy and GSD student
Zafirah Kesington
Deputy Marketing Co-Ordinator
Single Honours GSD student
Matthew Seet
Research Co-Ordinator
PPE student
Priscilla Tay
Deputy Research Co-Ordinator
Economic Studies and GSD student
Jun Wei Lim
Front of House Co-Ordinator
Accounting and Finance student










