Youth-led climate summit: adolescents assume control of Earth's destiny
In the historic Great Hall of the New Town Hall, a unique event took place, as students and delegates alike gathered for a simulation of global climate policy negotiations. The collaboration between the city of Ingolstadt, the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, and the Audi Foundation for the Environment aimed to provide an experiential learning opportunity for participants to explore the complexities of international climate negotiations[1][2].
The simulation focused on global climate policy, replicating the atmosphere and challenges of real-world climate negotiations. Students, from the 10th grade and up, were divided into country groups and tasked with negotiating concrete measures against global warming to limit warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees by the year 2100[1][2].
The Mayor of Ingolstadt, Petra Kleine, emphasized the educational value of the event, stating that it aimed to create an awareness beyond facts and figures, and to show the importance of acting now[1][2]. The event was not a real UN climate conference but a simulation, yet it included discussions on international justice and offered a platform for students to engage in thoughtful climate action.
The organizers, Die Multivision, drew a positive conclusion from the event, noting the impressive response from the students. The participants showed a willingness to participate and find solutions during the simulation[1][2]. The event, which took place for one day, also included discussions on worldwide climate goals and provided a valuable learning experience for those involved.
[1] https://www.uni-erlangen.de/147494_DE/index.html [2] https://www.audi-foundation.de/en/news/2022/03/03-climate-conference-simulation-ingolstadt/
- The simulation, organized by Die Multivision in collaboration with the city of Ingolstadt, the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, and the Audi Foundation for the Environment, provided an excellent platform for environmental-science education and self-development, as it allowed students to delve into the complexities of climate-change negotiations.
- Instead of merely learning about global climate policy in science textbooks or general news, these students had the unique opportunity to replicate the atmosphere and challenges of real-world climate negotiations, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the issue.
- This educational event, which included discussions on worldwide climate goals and international justice, served as a testament to the importance of climate-change education in the broader context of education-and-self-development, reinforcing the urgency for immediate action to combat climate change.
