Introduction

-

My name is Megan Quinn. I'm from Holland, Michigan and went to college at Northern Michigan University. I am currently a graduate student at Northern Arizona University, pursuing my MS Biology and Certificate in Environmental Narrative.

This November, I'll be attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. I'll be an official observer, attending with the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP). 

My goal with attending COP27 is to experience and better learn how I can build bridges of communication surrounding climate and environmental issues, especially between groups of people that are often known for being at odds - such as scientists, the general public, and Christians. I think this communication is essential, because to solve an issue as big as climate, everyone is going to be needed to work together. 

This blog is where I'll post stories both leading up, during, and after COP27. Like a science paper, I'll have an "abstract" at the beginning of each post that will provide a summary of the post (don't worry, I won't make it "scientific," though!) and then my full story below. I'm tying my stories together with a theme of restoration - something I think we need in climate action right now. (also a coincidence that I'll be researching plant restoration for my thesis... :)

I hope you enjoy reading!

If you're interested in helping support me on my journey, you are welcome to donate at https://gofund.me/93107947. My goal is to raise $1,500

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Mist Faded to Frustration

-
Image
Back in Flagstaff: Abstract COP27 had fed fuel to my firey passion on climate change. During the COP, I felt like I was unstoppable and unquenchable. I was meeting so many different people - from Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Easter Island, Canada, Australia - all these people committed to climate action with me! As I saw nighttime glow of LA sprawled beneath the the airplane window, as the shuttle chugged up the Arizona highway, as I popped my food in the microwave, the clouds and mist around my fire faded.  Nothing had changed - including the politicians. All talk and no action. This is my silent scream to our world leaders to do something , before restoration is out of reach. Challenge How can you call out your representatives to take action on climate? Can you call them or write a letter? Here's a link you can use to call your representative:  https://citizensclimatelobby.org/call-your-representative/#/54/ Full story When I first stepped foot back in the biology building ...
Read more

Fire as Fuel for Growth

-
Image
Abstract Biking past the bandaid scar of the Pipeline Fire in Flagstaff, Arizona, feelings of devastation welled up in my stomach. Seeing the view of a beautiful place being ravaged by the a jagged, mutated human fingerprint was not the view I was hoping for on my Saturday mountain bike ride. I sadly realized that every time I set my foot on my bike pedal (which is a lot), there seems to be another story of the effects of climate change eating away at our planet.  With the adrenaline coursing inspiration through my veins, I realized another way to look at a fire is an opportunity for growth. Even though climate action lately hasn't been the strong helicopter we've all been waiting for to shower the world with its saving water (although the Inflation Reduction Act was a storm in the right direction), that doesn't mean we need to fall into despair. I think at COP27 this November, we can use the mistakes of the past as fuel for change in the present moment.  Full story As my b...
Read more

Competitive Coexistence

-
Image
Abstract: If two plants are growing in the same environment, there usually aren’t enough resources around to make everyone happy. This competition for resources like water and nutrients, however, can drive innovation, adaptation, and evolution in plants. After walking around and looking at each country’s pavilion, beautiful displayed with photos of stunning landscapes from the country, and statistics on how they are working to solve climate change, I wondered:   How can friendly competition be used to drive action and adaptation? Challenge: Can you organize a competition with your friend and family (or against yourself) to make being sustainable more fun? It can even be something small like, who can use the least paper towels this week? This competition might even spark some innovation… Full story: There were two different events at COP27 that I focused on today: the opening ceremony with the world leaders gathering to talk and walking around and looking at pavilions in...
Read more