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Conference to focus on link between human rights, climate change
Jen Marlow helped to start “Three Degrees,” a conference on how the environment impacts communities. Michele Storms, right, acted as a mentor to the UW Law student.
Jeni Barcelos and Jen Marlow, both 28, are in the process of redefining how the world addresses climate change policy and, as second-year law students at the University of Washington, they haven’t even passed their bar exams yet. Strangers united by a mutual friend, “the Jens,” as they are amiably called, have become a team, advocating for the importance of creating environmental law that takes into account its impact on people.
“Three Degrees: The Law of Climate Change and Human Rights Conference,” on Thurs. and Fri., May 28-29 at William H. Gates Hall on the University of Washington campus, is their brainchild. Described by its organizers as a first-of-its-kind gathering, it will bring together highly regarded minds in various fields from all over the world to discuss the correlation between climate change and human rights. Among the 40-plus speakers and trio of presenters will be Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland (1990-97) now heavily involved in human-rights work, and Jim Lyons, Vice President for Policy and Communications at Oxfam America.
“The environmental movement has been hamstrung, put in a box,” says Marlow. “People look at climate change as only for polar bears or something.” What she and Barcelos want to do is combine the traditional images of environmental distress (like melting glaciers) with the equally-as-real-images of island nations having to relocate as the water rises and their land shrinks.
“It’s a life’s work, for sure,” says Barcelos.
Combining social issues with environmental concerns is in part what motivated “the Jens” to go to law school. When they arrived, they discovered their classes never proposed a link between the collapsing climate and its effects on people. Independently, they came to the realization that shaping climate policy around the populations suffering the most was a kind of legal strategy and academic conversation that didn’t exist.
“For the most part we’re stuck in a slough,” David Battisti, professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington and one of the “Three Degrees” panelists, says of himself and his peers. Specialists in different departments zero in on the problems within their own expertise, he suggests, while cross communication tended to happen by accident.
Barcelos and Marlow noticed the schism. Serious about bridging the gap, they decided to mold their education to help them pursue their passions. During their first few encounters the idea for “Three Degrees” was born.
“We were two first-year law students with this grand plan, not knowing the reality of what we could do,” says Marlow.
As they approached university staff with their concept, they were greeted with mixed reactions. Some wanted proof of a link between human rights and climate change, while others applauded their innovative plan. It wasn’t until Barcelos and Marlow came to Michele Storms, executive director of the Gates Public Service Program, that they got the response they needed.
“Michele was the natural ally,” says Marlow. Storms’ knowledge of social problems in the United States proved an excellent match for the Jens’ environmental and political science backgrounds.
“I wouldn’t kick them out,” says Storms with a laugh. “What they said was brilliant and on target.” The three women moved forward with their grand plan, receiving a sponsorship from the Linden Rhodes Dean’s Innovation Fund. The fund focuses on ideas that lead to outcomes. “They’re not going to fund just a nice conversation,” says Storms. Barcelos, a Gates Public Service Law Scholar, is also a volunteer presenter of Al Gore’s global warming slide show for “The Climate Project.” Now partnered with “Three Degrees,” “The Climate Project” plans to add slides about the conference’s conclusions to the presentations it gives all over the world. Marlow says the conference will take a top-to-bottom approach to the issue: introducing the topic to those in power positions; the involvement of “The Climate Project” will represent a bottom-to-top tactic: reaching the people so they can push their governments in a different direction.
United, “the Jens” have inspired a group of over 40 panelists from all over the world to join their conference, and more importantly, their cause. In addition to Ireland’s Robinson, other noted speakers will be Kim Taylor-Thompson, a moderator of Socratic dialogues who has done work with the Public Broadcasting Service, and Henry Shue, a professor of ethics and public life at Cornell University and Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University’s Centre for International Studies. Additional panelists include economists, artists and representatives from nations already being affected by climate change, such as the Maldives.
“At a certain level, it’s a lofty conversation,” says Storms. “At another level, it’s a lofty conversation about what we’re going to do.” One of the main goals is to open a dialogue about human rights and climate change that will continue at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this year. Storms and Marlow said that at least half of “Three Degrees”’ participants will head to Denmark in December. Storms predicts the conference will have a lasting impression: “It’s going to have legs and continue to walk for a long time.”
Marlow and Barcelos will also head to Copenhagen. Over the summer they will take ideas culled from the conference and draft statements as lobbying points. Marlow hopes that the U.S. will play a bigger role there with the help of the new administration. “We want to make sure that human rights have a stage,” she says.
Comments
I think the problem raised in the article is very topical nowdays because people forgot long ago what terrible results the changes of the climat caused by their activity may have. Only few people are interested in this question though it’s important for everyone. I like nature, I try to take care of the environmentAnd very often I watch various documentaries about wild life (http://rapid4me.com rapidshare search engine)) and those
consequences our active life has. And thay convenienced me that there is nothing worst than destruction of the environment. Because of that I consider it important to teach children to love it and to protect. Though now the only thing they like is a computer. But we even can’t compare them. Maybe it will be right to show such films at school. For example, at Biology. Why not? Of course, not each child will like it. But the first step is always the most difficult. At the same time the one who knocks usually gets the result. So let’s try!
great downloads, i needed the rar password to extract the files though i find the password on http://filepasswords.com
Combining social issues with environmental concerns is in part what motivated “the Jens” to go to law school. When they arrived, they discovered their classes never proposed a link between the collapsing climate and its effects on people. Independently, they came to the realization that shaping climate policy around the populations suffering the most was a kind of legal strategy and academic conversation that didn’t exist.
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Polar bears are affected by the loss of habitat destruction and degradation of ecosystems, pollution, overfishing andOrkut Scrapsclimate change. These factors include the strong and lasting impact on the polar bear population and health
Thanks for the information!!!!!!!!!!!
Scientists of all world say that climate changes have already affected representatives of fauna,
Polar bears have started to perish in large quantities in ocean waters some years ago. I think that they have sunk when, floated the big distance in thawed snow of the Arctic ice shelf.
Global warming became the reason of reduction of the area of floating ices. Many animal steels victims of global warming. I think that scientists can solve this problem in the near future ;-)
Scientists of all world say that climate changes have already affected representatives of fauna (<a href = “http://www.queentorrent.com”> watch here </a>).
Polar bears have started to perish in large quantities in ocean waters some years ago. I think that they have sunk when, floated the big distance in thawed snow of the Arctic ice shelf.
Global warming became the reason of reduction of the area of floating ices. Many animal steels victims of global warming. I think that scientists can solve this problem in the near future ;-)
Scientists of all world say that climate changes have already affected representatives of fauna (“http://www.queentorrent.com).
Polar bears have started to perish in large quantities in ocean waters some years ago. I think that they have sunk when, floated the big distance in thawed snow of the Arctic ice shelf.
Global warming became the reason of reduction of the area of floating ices. Many animal steels victims of global warming. I think that scientists can solve this problem in the near future ;-)
Scientists of all world say that climate changes have already affected representatives of fauna (http://www.queentorrent.com).
Polar bears have started to perish in large quantities in ocean waters some years ago. I think that they have sunk when, floated the big distance in thawed snow of the Arctic ice shelf.
Global warming became the reason of reduction of the area of floating ices. Many animal steels victims of global warming. I think that scientists can solve this problem in the near future ;-)
I had the week of my life in the Tundra Buggy Lodge! I will never forget this wonderful experience. Sixteen people from Canada, U.S. and Australia met in the confines of Manitoba on how to help others to save the world through the stewardship of the planet. (Hollywood Wallpapers) I met so many wonderful people and learned a lot. I am impressed by how many young people around the world share my passion for caring for the earth. I love this place! Everyone here is awesome! Be careful, world, here comes the Arctic Ambassadors ‘09 Teen!
Thanks for help! This is just what I was looking for!
Alex
Polar bears have started to perish in large quantities in ocean waters some years ago. I think that they have sunk when, floated the big distance in thawed snow of the Arctic ice shelf.
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