The momentum doesn’t stop at COP21. Two days back in Minnesota and my mind is still swirling with the ideas and experiences from COP21. There was so much energy and focus on climate change for that week that I still have not processed its full impact – on the world, and on me personally. Before […]
“I really like the idea of this momentum not ending. I think that I can return home and strengthen the commitments to climate action in my own life. With students, I think that this conversation cannot end when this conference ends.” – Kristy Otte, Dec. 11, 2015
Paris is an outstanding city in which to experience art. During this trip to COP21, I have been able to witness how people are experiencing climate change around the world. Many people choose to express their ideas and beliefs through their art, whether it be poetry, song, sculpture, or photography. Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a poet and […]
Today was the big day for our Education Ambassador delegation at COP21. Meeting with John Holdren, the science advisor to President Obama, was incredibly powerful for me and the rest of the group. Holdren was very personable, and began the meeting by introducing himself and what he was doing at COP21. He started off by […]
This fall, over 350 students in my West Saint Paul, Minnesota school district created video-taped position statements about what they want to see happen at COP21. Student voices are a key component of climate action that motivates world leaders to listen and act. While preparing for COP21, many of my students asked frustrated questions, such as “Why […]
Today’s highlight was learning about how American businesses are benefitting from sustainable practices, including actions to address climate change. We had the privilege of meeting with Best Buy’s VP for Sustainability, Laura Bishop, in the Green Zone at Le Bourget. By signing the American Business Act On Climate Pledge, companies including Best Buy are: Voicing support for […]
This morning, our Education Ambassador group met with two leaders in climate change work in Minnesota: Rep. Melissa Hortman and former MN state Senator Ellen Anderson, who spoke of Minnesota’s legislative history around renewable energy. It was exciting to hear Rep. Hortman talk about Obama’s work around energy, including: In 2009, the bailout deal for […]
Dear Readers and Followers of COP21 events, Today I arrived in Paris after an overnight flight. On the trip here, I picked up the November issue of National Geographic, which is all about climate change. Some of the photography of that magazine tells it all. I suggest you take a look! Other news is that we found […]
This lesson was an introduction to to COP 21 for participating students at Garlough Environmental Magnet School, Somerset Elementary, and Mendota Elementary. See Kristy’s Bio
As our COP21 Window Into Paris program approaches, we will be featuring an educator in our delegation each week to share their thoughts on the program and how they plan to incorporate their experience at the UN climate change negotiations into their classrooms. This week’s featured educator is Dr. Kristy Otte, an Instructional Peer Coach […]