Dear Friends,
With the start of next year's SXSW Conference a mere 99 days away, it’s time to refocus the Conference Community Newsletter on the expertise, ideas and opinions of some of the most intriguing speakers at the 2024 event.
This week, we asked a handful of speakers if they are optimistic about what will emerge from COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which runs November 30 through December 12 in Dubai.
Dr Alex Schnell / Nat Geo Women Who Run the (Storytelling) World: My mindset swings between hope fueled by scientific possibilities and frustration with sluggish policy implementation. The issue is exacerbated by large corporations engaging in greenwashing instead of directing efforts into practical solutions and efficiency. It’s a delicate balance, but redirecting our focus towards real change remains paramount.
Anthony Gellert / SXSW 2024 Mentor Session Program: No. The game theory of climate change compliance, where cheating cannot be detected but can be very profitable, dooms the cooperation solution to climate change. Only new technologies and adaptations will save us.
Beth Hartman / Investing in Our Oceans: Navigating Uncharted Waters: I am not optimistic about COP28 outcomes, having attended the last three conferences in Madrid, Glasgow, and Sharm El-Sheikh and observing each time that the outcomes have not been nearly enough to address the challenge we are facing. With this year's event hosted in Dubai and the COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber also serving as CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, I would expect even lower levels of genuine commitment to reducing emissions. We have been holding these conferences for almost three decades and emissions have continued to rise the entire time.
Catherine Flowers / Redefining Philanthropy Amid a Changing Planet: I am very optimistic about what will come out of the two weeks at COP. Any chance to move the needle is worth it. That is why I will be attending in person.
Dave A. Liu / Changing Faces: Media Representation and the Path to Positive Portrayals of Facial Differences: Not really. If COP28 can make the Earth's climate as agreeable as Dubai's weather in December, we might just end up with a global thermostat set to vacation mode!
Doug Fine / Grow Soil or Die: How All Earth’s Farming can go Regenerative: I love the idea of worldwide consensus on key steps for humanity's survival, though my own mode is to cultivate carbon-sequestering superfood crops like hemp so as to be a concrete and demonstrable part of the solution.
Earnestine E. Dawson / SXSW 2024 Mentor Session Program: I am optimistic that this conference will not only provide the world with more information on how to combat climate change. I am hopeful it will also provide a roadmap that the world can follow and execute in due time.
Heather Malenshek / The Rural-Urban Divide and How Brands Can Make a Difference: Hopeful, I would say, although actions speak louder than words and we need action as it relates to climate change.
Kate Baucherel / From the Fireside to the Future: Stories in a Changing World: Hopeful, but effective change relies on implementation by all the parties.
Matthew Carlson / Using Drawing to Collaborate, Innovate & Learn: I’m realistic about outcomes of COP28, given the global rise of nationalism and authoritarian leaders. When countries narrow their focus to near term goals and self-interest meaningful change is often put on the back burner. I do have some hope, now that world leaders are — for the most part — no longer denying the reality of climate change and our role in it.
Dr. Ramani Durvasula / It's Not You: Navigating & Healing From Toxic Relationships: When corporate wonks in private jets come together with starry eyed governmental bureaucrats hoping to build alliances, I tend to lose my hope. Melting ice caps and warming oceans are no match for capitalism, and I don't believe that if the climate-driven adjustments will cut into profits and displease shareholders that we will ever see real change. The day that the fancy folks who attend this find the most cost-effective way to attend, or better yet do it remotely — maybe I will start believing a bit.
Skot Waldron / From Maker to Manager: A Creative Leader's Journey: For the people that pay attention, COP28 will always provide hope for the future of what’s possible. I’m not sure what will actually happen as a result, but the hope is there.
Sonalie Figueiras / Sizzle or Fizzle: Exploring Investments in Alt Protein: I am mildly optimistic. I run a global impact media platform dedicated to making food systems change center stage in the climate crisis fight and for the first time ever, a COP event will have a dedicated food day so there is some hope that the need to address all issues that plague our global agri-food supply chains and production may finally be prioritized by global leaders.
Sue Sisley, MD / Man vs. Nature: The Commercialization of Psilocybin Medicine: I’m optimistic that the people at the meeting will tackle a lot of important issues and feel energized. But I assume there will be some kind of white paper generated that will probably sit on peoples’ desks, collect dust, and never get read nor implemented in any meaningful way.
Will Glazener / SXSW 2024 Mentor Session Program: People forget that COP is for the UN delegates to debate. The private sector latched onto COP as its annual event. However, it's critical to have zero expectations for the private sector because to them it's just a climate festival. I am optimistic about what the country delegates will achieve. I am neutral for the private sector because I have no expectations for them.
Zsofia Kollar / What is the Value of Human Waste?: While these conferences are essential for dialogue and awareness, the track record of substantial, immediate action emerging from such gatherings has been limited. There's a concern about the slow pace of commitments translating into tangible changes. Despite the UAE's global image and hosting COP28, the UAE's track record on substantial climate action remains questionable. While they've made some commitments, including renewable energy projects and setting emissions targets, there's an inherent contradiction in hosting a major climate conference while not exhibiting substantive efforts toward a greener future.
Discover SXSW sessions focused on global warming solutions by browsing the content in the 2024 Climate Change track.
Want more? Learn what books 2024 speakers are reading by checking out our new CCN Speaker Series.
Gain even more of their insights by registering to attend the 2024 event and booking your hotel now. Special discounts available for students and groups!
Buy the sky and sell the sky,
Hugh Forrest
Co-President / Chief Programming Officer
@Hugh_W_Forrest
