climate change COP28

An audio diary from the COP28 climate conference, Part 1

Sights, sounds and scenes from the largest climate gathering on the planet.

Dr. Robbie Parks joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to give listeners a front row seat at the largest, most consequential climate change conference on the planet.


Parks, a senior fellow of the Agents of Change program and assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, traveled to Dubai this month for the United Nations’ COP28 conference and, over the course of the week, kept an audio diary as he navigated the bustling conference, ran into old friends, chatted with experts and explored the climate change and health intersection.

Check out Part 2 for more from Parks’ in Dubai.

The Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast is a biweekly podcast featuring the stories and big ideas from past and present fellows, as well as others in the field. You can see all of the past episodes here.

Listen below to Parks, and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or Spotify.

Well-lit home interior heated by wood-burning stove

In Maine’s Senate race, it’s heating oil vs. electricity

Energy affordability dominated the debates, but the candidates disagreed about the causes and how to solve the crisis.
SAN DIEGO USA - MAY 27 2016: A protester holds a sign featuring an angry photo of Donald Trump and reading "Bad for America" at an anti-Trump protest outside a Trump rally in San Diego.
Credit: shakzu/BigStock Photo ID: 133153415

New satellites see thousands of methane leaks. Governments shrug

A technological revolution is colliding with political decisions in the U.S. and Europe to weaken climate regulations on the potent gas.

NEW YORK CITY - JUNE 8 2014: the 57th annual Puerto Rico Day Parade filled Fifth Avenue with 80,000 marcher & more than a million spectators.
Credit: andykatz/BigStock Photo ID: 66430495

Climate is on the ballot, even if it’s not in candidates’ campaign messages

Activists view November’s midterm elections as crucial for curbing Trump’s fossil fuel agenda and building a foundation for renewed action.
Satellite view of an Atlantic hurricane

Hurricane Florence, 8 years later: Communities assess resilience efforts

Hurricane Florence's scars on are still healing, and the intervening years have brought clarity to what's needed to continue life on a changing coastline.

A pile of sandbags helping to keep waves from flooding the beach

Trump’s cuts have exposed US to ‘cascade’ of El Niño dangers, experts warn

Trump has taken an axe to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stalling climate research on and response to extreme weather events.

A group of four wooden cubes with letters spelling FACT and FAKE

‘Hybrid weapon of war’: Why climate disinformation could be a growing public health threat

WHO member states are being urged to recognize climate disinformation as a public health threat as vested interests attempt to “sow doubt and confusion”.

A view of a downtown in a small town

New Mexico off track for 2030 greenhouse gas goal, environment official says

At its current rate, New Mexico won't hit its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, an environment official told lawmakers.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.