Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Ph.D., a faculty member in Geography and Geology at the University of Vermont and State Climatologist for Vermont, is among leading scientists presenting remotely at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Dupigny-Giroux was asked to discuss the present state of climate science for a segment called “The past, present and future of climate science.” Christina Ravelo of University of California Santa Cruz and Kate Marvel of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies discussed the past and future respectively. The U.S. Center presentation was part of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy programming. Other topics in the session were “Science to inform our response to the climate crisis,” “Communicating climate science,” and “The science of climate response.”
“It was a such a tremendous privilege to have been asked to represent the U.S. at COP26,” said Dupigny-Giroux. “However, it was only during the live session itself that it really hit home, how significant it was to be able to lift up the many voices of so many scientists and communities with whom I have interacted for over 30 years. It was a priceless experience and I am immensely grateful for this opportunity!"
From Nov. 1-12, COP26 is bringing together countries from around the world to accelerate action toward the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The United States sees COP26 as a turning point and is pushing for the world to get on a path to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Recently Dupigny-Giroux was also asked to serve as an author for the national Water chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). In 2016, Dupigny-Giroux was named regional lead of the northeast chapter of the Fourth National Climate Assessment.
The National Climate Assessment is the U.S. Government’s premier report on climate change impacts, risks, and adaptation across the nation. It is a Congressionally mandated, interagency effort that brings together hundreds of experts from federal, state, and local governments, as well as the academic, non-profit, and private sectors.