What can universities in the Mediterranean do about climate change? The Road to the Tethys Declaration on Climate Change, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, May 2024. by Clara Gomez Zapatero

Step 1 Tuesday, 21st May, 15:30 - Breaking the Ice

claragomezzapatero — 2024-05-13 10:48:22 UTC

The workshop begins with an ice-breaking session, facilitating open communication and building rapport among participants. This activity aims to create a conducive environment for fruitful discussions on climate change.

Step 2 Tuesday, 21st May, Following the Ice Breaker - Discovering Talents

claragomezzapatero — 2024-05-13 10:48:22 UTC

Participants engage in activities designed to reveal various talents within the group. This talent discovery phase is essential for forming effective teams for the workshop's tasks.

Step 3 Tuesday, 21st May, Afternoon - A Brief Information Session

claragomezzapatero — 2024-05-13 10:48:22 UTC

A concise session providing initial information on climate change in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, the need for action, and the workshop's objectives. This session sets the stage for deeper discussions and planning.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c805cf3053c747e7961d5ced93182993

Step 4 Tuesday, 21st May, Later in the Afternoon - Identifying Areas for Action

claragomezzapatero — 2024-05-13 10:48:22 UTC

Workshop participants break into groups to identify key areas where action is critically needed to address climate change. This activity is crucial for focusing the workshop's efforts on impactful initiatives.

Step 5 Tuesday, 21st May, Evening - Exploring Possible Actions

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Groups share and discuss examples of possible actions that can be taken within the identified areas. This session togheter with the brainstorming activity held on May 16th is vital for generating actionable ideas for the declaration.

Bear in mind

1 Individuals can make a difference by reducing water usage, using energy-efficient appliances, and supporting renewable energy sources. These actions reduce carbon emissions and help combat climate change.

2 By adopting a plant-based diet and reducing meat consumption, individuals can significantly lower their carbon footprint. Plant-based diets have a lower environmental impact and contribute to reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

3 Taking public transport, carpooling, and walking or biking instead of driving can significantly reduce carbon emissions. These actions promote sustainable transportation and minimize the environmental impact of individual travel choices.

4 Individuals can contribute by advocating for policies that promote environmental sustainability, such as supporting renewable energy initiatives and conservation efforts. Engaging in activism and promoting sustainable practices can drive systemic change.

Step 6 Tuesday, 21st May, End of Day - Declaration Model Introduction

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These models provide a framework for the participants to draft their own contributions to the Tethys Declaration on Climate Change. We should pay attention to the format and vocabulary in order to draft and design our own declaration.

Model 1 (Spanish)

https://www.miteco.gob.es/content/dam/miteco/es/prensa/declaracionemergenciaclimatica_tcm30-506551.pdf

Model 2 (English)

https://www.unicef.org/environment-and-climate-change/climate-declaration#declaration

Step 7 Tuesday, 21st May, Late Evening - Forming Groups and Assigning Tasks

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Participants form groups according to the talents and areas of action identified earlier. Tasks are assigned to each group, focusing on contributing to the final declaration.

Step 8 Thursday, 23rd May, 15:45 - Presentation of the Declaration

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Participants meet at Casa Árabe for a final review and rehearsal of the Tethys Declaration presentation. This session ensures that all elements of the declaration are polished and ready for public presentation. Time: 45 m.

The culmination of the workshop: participants present the Tethys Declaration on Climate Change. This event marks a significant step towards formalizing the agreement and committing to actionable climate change initiatives.

Brainstorming online 16 th april

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Online session TETHYS – Thursday May 16th (10-11:20)

Moderators : Alicia, Badr, Nadir and Valentin

Organization of the reunion :

Global presentation of Tethys (done by Auri) and of everyone (name, university, field of study, title of the abstract)
Answering the question « What can universities from the Mediterranean do about climate change ? »

Global presentations

Auri : climate change and link to cancer. For the background : Tethys is a consortium in Europe. 75 universities are part of the network. Universities can share ideas. The doctoral students can purpose the solutions and to create spaces to bring new things together.

Bianca : Chinese climate policies and links with green transition within the european union

Bader : Agriculture product, climate change between science and policies

Aya : Tunisia, presentation online (ask Javier)

Malak : Climate change and sanctions, VISA (want to know if it’s also online)

Malek : University of Glasgow, link between climate change and cardiovascular problems, and link isn’t often seen as a problem

Claudia : Complutense, researcher about environmental ecology, peer to peer sharing platform

Rula : Carthage, practical impacts on climate change, reduce impact of climate change in specific countries

Hugo : PHD agricultural chemistry, urban agriculture in green productive workshop, global introduction

Amani : PHD student from Marocco, univ de gran canarias (mobility), aquaculture

Kassandra : Glasgow, project Galand, active travel and cycling in a more inclusive way. Sociology.

Adrian : Madrid psychology, environmental behavior and attitudes

Carlos : Solar energy, storage and link to pollution

Nourelhouda : immunotherapy and cancer, climate change as a cause, science and renewable strategies

Thomas : Aix Marseille, waste in France and Tunisia

Sofia : university students becoming teachers dealing with climate change with the kids

Houda : Rabat school, climate change relation with sustainable digital market, equilibrium and bringing awareness in morocco

« What can universities from the Mediterranean do about climate change ? »

Kassandra : Complex, when do we even start ? Infrastructural, social factors

Claudia : Should we present something, solutions ? Real actions. Huge problem of universities, thinking about renewable energies

Rula : Trainings and adaptations measures, importance of raising awareness

Alicia : What are the problems in our basic universities ? Tunisia hasn’t the same university issues than in Madrid

Kassandra : Poverty problem in Glasgow, sharing some practices. Policies : not super public places (can be expansive)

Thétys PhD Workshop, UAM Madrid 2024

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