Waterloo students in Poland for UN conference

A delegation of University of Waterloo students are contributing this week to negotiating global climate change agreements at the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP19) in Poland.

Senior government officials from all over the world are meeting in Warsaw for COP19 – the most significant climate change gathering of the year. Students from the University of Waterloo Coalition for Sustainable Development (UWCSD) organized the delegation.

"I couldn't be more proud and excited for the students attending the COP19 international negotiations in Warsaw,” says André Roy, dean of the Faculty of Environment. “As official representatives of the University of Waterloo, these dedicated students have the opportunity to show the United Nations and the world that not only is the Faculty of Environment serious about making a difference in global climate policy, but that we have the talent and passion to do so.”

The Waterloo students will meet with government and citizen delegates, including Dan McDougall, Canada's Ambassador for Climate Change and Chief Negotiator.

Social media updates from Warsaw

Beyond pushing for sustainable policies, the group also hopes to report back home about the process. The students have a wide-ranging communications strategy both during and after COP19. They hope to give viewers an “inside-scoop” by reporting back on the negotiations through social media, blog updates, video blogs, live Skype calls, active Twitter feeds and more.

“We really would like UW students to get the chance to experience the UN Climate Change Conference from home,” says Andrew Wong a student organizer for the delegation.

“We will voice concrete policy recommendations that can improve Canada's climate change policies. These policy recommendations have been developed by Faculty of Environment students, and we are confident that Canadian decision-makers and decision-makers from around the world will listen to what we have to say and that our message will positively impact future decisions and directions on climate change.”

Follow the student delegation on their Facebook page and on Twitter - @uwcsd and #UWatCOP.