Thursday 21-10-2021 - 09:42

Every year, the world’s global leaders get together to talk about their response to climate change. These summits are known as the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties – or ‘COPs’ for short. 

This year it’s the 26th summit, dubbed COP26, and the UK will be hosting it in Glasgow. Over 120 world leaders will gather on October 31st to discuss the most pressing climate issues. After that, government representatives will stay on for more detailed negotiations.

It’s a huge event – around 25,000 people are expected to attend over the course of 12 days. This makes COP26 the biggest summit the UK has ever hosted, so it’s a big deal.

We’re getting involved at Bristol SU too. Thanks to funding from the University of Bristol's Development and Alumni Relations Office a delegation of students is heading to COP26 to engage in activism, link up with other SUs and climate campaigners, and work to hold world leaders to account on their climate policies. You'll be able to follow what they get up to on this blog.

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18 November 2021

Bristol University students speaking out about climate change have been featured in the BBC. 

Read the article here.

And similarly to how student activists at COP26 cooperated to achieve something greater, Bristol University along with Bath, Cardiff and Exeter have teamed up to create the GW4: an interdisciplinary research consortium.

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16 November 2021

Coming away from COP26 and sharing our thoughts, experiences and stories, we gain an even clearer view of climate change and what actions we must take. 

One story shared and reshared above all others, (even featuring in the Scottish newspaper "The national") is the story of Patricia Miranda, Lawyer and Public Health campaigner, now student at Bristol University. 

Patricia’s story transports us to her home country of the Philippines and what living through a category 4 hurricane means. She describes the devastation and challenges it causes to homes, families and lives. This poignant piece demonstrates the tangible and real threat of climate change and the implication that extreme weather events such as these are growing not just in ferocity but also occurrence.

  

For the full article please go to the follow link: COP26: Stories from the frontline of the climate emergency | The National

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12 November 2021

COP26 has officially ended. An event mixed with rallies and protests, think tanks and indigenous people alike talk about their goals and hopes for the environment. New technologies that can and must be used to meet the climate crisis.

As we come away inspired and motivated we know although COP26 has ended the work hasn’t.

We hope you’ll join us on the 19th of November at the Peoples Assembly where we will continue the fight for climate justice.

   

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10 November 2021

We're still in Glasgow and the turn out is great!
Thousands of other students are here from across the UK and the world... all with the same message "Systemic change NOT climate change" 

  

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6 November 2021

It's looking like the start of a busy weekend. We're attending the Climate Strike as a group, marching through Glasgow to make our voices heard. 

 

Did you spot that Student Living Officer Ruth ran into the David Ion, last year's Undergraduate Education Officer? Ruth will be running coverage of the week on the SU Officer Instagram account - be sure to follow them for more cameos!

 

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5 November 2021

We've all made it to COP26, and can't wait to get stuck in!

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4 November 2021

And we're off! We woke up bright and early to collect the bus from the Richmond Building all the way up to Glasgow!

Carlos, Chair of Bristol SU's Sustainability Network, has been in Glasgow a little longer as he has been representing Spain at COY16 - the 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth.