On December 9 in Dubai, MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change Deputy Director/MIT Energy Initiative Senior Research Scientist Sergey Paltsev delivered a presentation as part of a panel for “Knowledge to Action: Co-developing Local Solutions to the Climate Crisis,” an official side event at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28).
Paltsev’s introductory statement focused on MIT Joint Program expertise and tools that promote equitable climate solutions at local, regional and global levels. In particular, he highlighted ongoing Joint Program projects in Bangladesh, South America and Africa, where collaborations between scientists, practitioners and decision-makers are advancing climate literacy, capacity development, and solution-framing to address the climate crisis.
“Local communities bear the brunt of climate impacts, exacerbating existing inequalities,” said Paltsev. “We need to employ an integrated approach to connect local projects with country-level policy and financial support to avoid dangerous tipping points, build resilience and guide solutions.”
The panel was introduced by Maria Zuber, MIT Vice President for Research, and moderated by Bethany Patten, Director of Policy and Engagement at the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative. Earlier at COP28, MIT Joint Program Research Scientist Angelo Gurgel participated in activities in the Brazil and Chile pavilions to share Joint Program research on scaling up sustainable aviation fuels.
Photo: From left – Marcela Angel, Research Program Director, MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative; Mark Ortiz, Presidential Postdoctoral Scholar, Faculty Affiliate, Penn State Sustainability Institute; Joyce Mendez, Youth Leader, Colombia and Paraguay, UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; Sergey Paltsev, Deputy Director, MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change; Bethany Patten, Director of Policy Engagement, MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative; Benjamin Zaitchik, GeoHealth Past President, AGU and JHU; and Maria Zuber, MIT Vice President for Research (Photo courtesy of Deborah Campbell, MIT)