This discussion provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from participants at the forefront of the United Nations (UN) annual climate conference, COP28, hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai. COP28 marks the UN’s 28th Conference of the Parties (COP). This world-wide annual conference is rooted in the legacy of the 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 30+ years later, it still brings together global leaders, experts, and activists to address critical challenges of climate change. This conference holds unprecedented significance because global temperatures are projected to rise 1.5 Celsius degrees and severe consequences for sustainable living on our planet. The President of this year’s conference is also the CEO of the UAE’s largest oil company, which raises fundamental environmental concerns. The oil industry’s increased presence at COP28 complicates the discussions. The Live from Dubai webinar features distinguished guests actively working on impactful solutions: Deirdre White, CEO of the international development nonprofit Pyxera Global; Kneyone Murray, young entrepreneur and CEO of Kneyzeus Energy in Trinidad and Tobago; Noa Gafni, Professor at Columbia University’s Climate School; Francois Rogers, Executive Director of the nonprofit Blue Planet Alliance, partner of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation. Participants discuss the controversy around hosting the conference in a petrostate, the global stocktake, the challenges among island nations, the digital divide, the role of youth and much more. 0:00:00 Intro 0:03:44 Why COP28 is Critial and the 1.5 degree limit 0:04:57 Introduction of Panelists and their COP work 0:08:40 Colonization of Information and the Digital Divide 0:10:12 Preserving Wisdom and the Role of AI 0:13:21 The Challenge of Sargassum Seaweed in Island Nations 0:20:27 Hawaii's Landmark Mandate to Transition to Renewable Energy (Blue Planet Alliance) 0:23:55 Overcoming Challenges with Utility Companies 0:27:45 Tonga's Vulnerability to Climate Change and Response 0:32:43 The Cost of Adaptation to Climate Change vs. Mitigation 0:38:31 The Global “Stocktake” https://unfccc.int/topics/global-stocktake in Accountability & Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). 0:43:23 Skepticism & Hope at COP26. Participation from the Oil Industry, The Loss & Damage Fund. 0:49:12 Politics should not distract from limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees 1:00:39 How Hawaii worked with utility regulations and legislators.  1:04:19 Youth engagement and political will for a sustainable future 1:05:36 Youth and the Driver's Seat at COP 1:08:34 Youth perspectives and the Blue Zone (all access) Vs the Green Zone (public) passes. Website: https://www.brooklynstorylab.net/ Robert Richmond, PhD: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/marine-fellows/fellows-directory/2006/robert-h--richmond Timothy Mousseau, PhD: https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/biological_sciences/our_people/directory/mousseau_timothy.php For more information, resources and videos visit www.samuellawrencefoundation.org Connect on Social Media Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn