Najam Joins Panel Discussion on Population and Climate Change
Professor Najam noted that curbing population growth and managing the impacts of climate change may be amongst the most vital problems developing countries face, but that is not a reason to just lump the two together.
Najam Named Mahatir Mohamad Visiting Fellow at Oxford
Professor Najam plans to work on two research projects during his fellowships: one on elaborating an Islamic vocabulary for environmentalism and particularly for climate change, and another related to elaborating policy pathways for the “Age of Adaptation” and particularly for Loss and Damage climate policy.
Najam Comments on President Biden and Classified Documents
Professor Najam points out that the implication of this is more political than legal, especially since a similar find had earlier happened with former President Donald Trump and now both parties have something to beat the other with on lack of care in handling classified material by leaders at the very top of the power structure.
Najam Featured in Documentary on Collaborative Governance
“LAIAN.” released by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, highlights the experience of “Etorkizuna Eraikiz,” a major and all-encompassing initiative by the government of Gipuzkoa to incorporate deep citizen participation and grassroots democracy in policymaking, budget development, and institutional development.
Najam Interviewed on Impacts of Climate Change & Need for Adaptation
“The golden rule is don’t mess with nature. The hubris with which we have not only ignored, but laughed at nature over the last 30 years, is what is having an impact now.”
Najam Describes 2022 as a “Year of Malaise”
“Maybe the best thing that can be said about 2022 in international affairs is that it will end tonight. The saddest thing is that all the challenges that it has wrought will still be with us when the first of January dawns.”
Heine Appointed Interim Director of the Pardee Center
Upon announcement of his new role, Ambassador Heine stated, “I have always been a future-oriented person, and being appointed director of the Center, even if only on an interim basis, is a great privilege. At a time when the world is in turmoil, it is especially important to ask the big questions that need to be asked as to which way we are going, and that is what I plan to do.”
Najam Interviewed on Potential Impact of COP27 Loss and Damages Fund
Professor Najam noted that a loss and damage fund has been a long-standing demand of the world’s most vulnerable countries. “However, one should be clear-eyed about this: at this point there is no fund, and there is no money in such a fund.”
Najam Discusses Impact of Nobel Peace Prize in “TRT World” Interview
In discussing the ceremony and the ethos of the Nobel Peace Prize, Professor Najam highlighted that the Peace Prize is fundamentally different from all the other Nobel awards because it is given not only for past achievements but even more as a symbol of future aspirations. “In this aspect, the Peace Prize is essentially political.”
“Qué Pasa Media” Article Details Najam’s Call for Immediate Climate Action
While the global focus on climate change has largely been on mitigation, Professor Najam argues that adapting to the threats of climate change is urgent, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable countries of the world.
Najam Comments on Commitments to COP27 Loss and Damage Fund
Professor Najam argued that the idea that the fund would reach $2 trillion per year, even across all contributing nations, was “practically an impossibility,” especially because the amount committed and pledged to the fund is still zero dollars.
Najam Keynotes Australasian Aid Conference 2022
Professor Najam posits that “the onset of climate change fundamentally changes the nature of climate policy and of climate politics, and in the ‘Age of Adaptation’ climate IS development.”
Najam Discusses COP27 Loss and Damage Fund in “CBC” Interview
In an ideal world, Professor Najam says that the loss and damage fund would be structured so that those countries whose emissions are high pay for the damages done to those whose emissions are low. However, he notes that the fund will likely be funded by voluntary contributions coming not out of a responsibility to address damages done but out of a humanitarian desire to help those in need.
Najam Offers Thoughts on COP27 Climate Loss and Damage Fund
“Everyone wants to disguise this text [on the new loss and damage fund] as a success. This is really the triumph of hope over experience, a hollow win.”
Najam Speaks at International Institute of Systems Analysis Conference
Professor Najam argued that in a highly turbulent and quickly changing world, the need for good system analysis is greater than ever before but also that what is needed from Systems Analysis has changed; systems science scholars to be ‘more restless, more irreverent, and more bold.’
Najam Comments on COP27 Loss and Damage Fund for Developing Countries
“Importantly, for now, developing countries got what they wanted: a fund for loss and damage. And developed countries were able to avoid what they have always been unwilling to give: any concrete funding commitments or any acknowledgment of responsibility for reparations.”
Najam Leads Workshop on Teaching Leadership and Character
Najam highlighted that developing leadership and character cannot be easy or straightforward exercises, and trying to do so is fraught with challenges; however, there is probably little else that is of greater importance everywhere in the world than helping to develop a new generation of “leaders of character.”
Najam Speaks at Quaid-i-Azam University on Age of Adaptation
“We are fooling ourselves by believing that raising slogans, writing tweets, or walking in protests is actually going to make a difference when the only thing that can make a difference is real and tangible changes in our own lifestyles and in the politics we support.”
Najam Interviewed on Global Climate Politics and Negotiations
Given that climate impacts in vulnerable countries are becoming much more visible and severe, Professor Najam argues that an increase in demands for climate justice from low- and middle-income countries is to be expected.
Najam Calls for Immediate Action on Climate Change in “Boston Globe” Op-Ed
“While all of us have consumed nearly three decades in talking ourselves hoarse about what to do and how, the planetary climate has changed, both physically and politically.”