Storella Keynotes BosMUN XXII Conference
Ambassador Storella shared three lessons with delegates drawn from his over three-decade career as a United States diplomat. He noted that in an era of broad international disruption, effective multilateral diplomacy is needed now more than ever.
Najam Leads Seminar on Religion and Environment
Professor Najam suggested that the view that “if we only get the science right, the right values will themselves emerge” has proven to be insufficient and it is time to move from a science-faith divide to a common strategy for confronting one of the great moral crises of our times: climate change.
Georgia Nichols (MAIA ‘ 23) Recounts Her Field Research Experience in Vanuatu
Vanuatu is the world’s most at-risk nation for natural disasters, and its vulnerability continues to grow under the current climate crisis. Georgia Nichols (MAIA ‘ 23) recently traveled there with the support of the Pardee School’s Gilman Travel Grant in order to interview climate policy leaders whose knowledge and expertise she will incorporate into her final MA paper. This is the story of her experience.
Gallagher Coauthors Op-Ed on EU Climate Action and Globally Just Climate Transition
“A globally just climate transition must ensure that one community’s climate gains do not translate into development losses for the countries that did little to contribute to the climate crisis in the 1st place.”
Najam Speaks at Launch of AIIB Report on NetZero
Professor Najam suggests that until countries do not begin “owning” the climate change problem – not because they have caused it, but because they will invariably suffer its consequences – we will not see meaningful action on climate change in developing countries.
Najam Featured in “Context” Report on Climate Loss and Damage
“By raising money from bad actions so that we raise the cost of doing bad things, we [can] use that money to be able to do good things for those who are being treated unfairly by climate change.”
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 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 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.”
“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 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 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.”
Najam Appeals for Stronger Action on Climate Change
In this interview, Professor Najam argues that the “Age of Adaptation” has arrived and that the world must actively prepare for imminent climate disasters.