High-level NASA delegation confirmed for COP28 in Dubai
Bill Nelson to participate in Space Agency Leaders’ Summit
A high-level NASA delegation is participating in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) held from November 30-December 12, 2023, at Expo City Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is leading the delegation, making it the first time a NASA administrator has attended a COP summit.
The White House confirmed earlier this week that US President Joe Biden will not attend COP28 in Dubai, neither will Chinese President Xi Jinping.
US priority
COP28 brings together countries committed to addressing climate change, a key priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and NASA.
Throughout the two-week global conference, parties will review the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol and also, for the first time, provide a comprehensive assessment of progress since adopting the Paris Agreement.
In addition to Nelson, NASA participants at COP28 in Dubai include:
- – Kate Calvin, NASA’s Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor
- – Susie Perez Quinn, NASA’s Chief of Staff
- – Karen St. Germain, Director, NASA Earth Science Division
- – Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, Programme Scientist, Ocean Physics, NASA Earth Science Division
- – Laura Rogers, Associate Programme Manager, Ecological Conservation, NASA Langley Research Center
- – Wenying Su, Senior Research Scientist, Climate Science, NASA Langley Research Center
- – Ben Hamlington, Research Scientist, Sea Level and Ice, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
At COP28, Nelson will participate in the first Space Agency Leaders’ Summit to demonstrate a collective commitment toward strengthening global climate initiatives and promoting sustainable space operations.
Throughout the conference, NASA leaders will also participate in events and presentations at the NASA Hyperwall, a main attraction at the US Center, showing how the agency’s climate science and research help model and predict ocean health, heat waves, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and droughts, among its other Earth-related research.
NASA will provide a hyperwall presentation daily during COP28, some with interagency partners, between December 3 and 11.
Lead role
Climate adaptation and mitigation efforts require robust climate observations and research. NASA’s unique vantage point from space provides critical information to advance understanding of our changing planet.
With more than two dozen satellites and instruments in orbit, NASA’s climate data – which is openly and freely available to anyone – provides insight into how the planet is changing and measures vital climate indicators, such as greenhouse gas emissions, rising sea levels and clouds, and precipitation.
COP28 expects 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.
Featured image: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is the first NASA chief to attend a COP event. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Last Updated on 10 months by Arnold Pinto
