On this week’s episode of It’s Hot in Here, hosts Malavika Sahai and Chris Askew-Merwin are joined in studio by returning guest, Ed Waisanen, and first-time guest Connor Rubin who were both delegates at the COP 22 this past year in Marrakech, Morroco (for an in-depth recap on COP 22 check out this IHIH episode on the conference with Ed Waisanan and Ember McCoy). We discuss a recent event, called With or Without US?, hosted by Climate Blue, a University of Michigan student group that sends delegations of students to attend the yearly United Nations climate climate change conference called the Conference of Parties. The event was composed of talks given by student delegates and an expert panel on the future of climate change action at the international, national, and local levels. We chat with Ed and Connor about their experiences and the topics they chose to present at the event. Connor regails us with a discussion on the “hidden figures” of the climate change movement and Ed educates us on the importance of “loss and damages” in climate change negotiations. Then we listen to selected clips from the expert panel and discuss the strategies and views of those phenomenal leaders. And all the while, playing stone-cold grooves.
For more information on Climate Blue, including ways to get involved head on over to their website.
In this episode of It’s Hot In Here, we catch up with some SNRE students who attended the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago.
Hosts Malavika and Chris sat down with special guests Jillian and Emily to talk about attending the march, the aftermath of it, and how they want to keep the discussion going.
With topics including from environmental justice in the new administration, feminism, and what it means to be a part of a movement, this is a must-hear episode for anyone who considers themselves socially conscious.
We hope you enjoy this edition of It’s Hot in Here, and keep tuning in Fridays at noon on 88.3 WCBN-FM Ann Arbor!
On March 6th the Donia Human Rights Center a the University of Michigan sponsored a panel discussion with the world recognized human rights activist and politician, Mohamed Nasheed, as well as UM Law graduate and celebrity human rights lawyer Jared Genser, and our own Rebecca Hardin. Genser has been co-counsel with Amal Clooney in defending Mr. Nasheed, the first democratically elected president of the Maldives. Why?
Originally a journalist, Nasheed describes here how he spent years challenging the authoritarian government controlling his country. He was repeatedly imprisoned and tortured in retaliation for his courage. In simple, measured words Nasheed cautions us that there will always be those in power who will do that, but that every day citizens must nevertheless stand up for their rights and for the planet. In 2008 the Maldives elected Mr. Nasheed in their first free and open election. But as Dr. Tsutsui explained in the panel introduction, a coup in 2012 ended his presidency and he was unjustly imprisoned once again. Jared Genser took on Mr. Nasheed‘s case and managed to free him, getting him to England for asylum.
Throughout Mr. Nasheed’s political career he worked tirelessly to bring attention to the threat the Maldives face from climate change. A low-lying island nation in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is very sensitive to sea-level rise (for more on this see our small islands, rising seas podcast). A documentary chronicling Mr. Nasheed’s life was produced in 2011 entitled “The Island President.”
Listen to the end of this podcast to hear Hardin speak in studio with hosts Malavika Sahai and Chris Askew Merwin about the tension and courage evident between this dynamic duo of activist and attorney, facing another round in their efforts to reinstate representative political process and climate adaptation to the island nation. The panel was broadcast live on a Maldives television network, to announce Nasheed’s intention to return there and again run for president. That’s right, it is a small hot world where Malé and Ann Arbor are the first to hear details of Nasheed’s next moves.
For more information on the panel and each panelist read here. To watch the full panel click here. For more information on the documentary visit this website. Most importantly, to keep up with Mr. Nasheed’s next move, follow him on facebook.
Keith Taylor, a celebrated local writer, poet, and teacher joins host Chris Askew-Merwin in studio to explore nature and environmentalism through the lens of poetry. Born in British Columbia, Keith shows us how his travels through some of the most remote and wild places in the world have shaped his work and his mindset. Listen as we discuss the role that art has played and continues to play in the environmental movement. However, the true pleasure of this show lies in the beautiful readings Keith delivers from his latest book of poetry, The Bird-while.
Ever wanted to know how to tell the tracks of a black bear from grizzly bear? Could there be wolves roaming the lower peninsula of Michigan? Curious how long it would take you to leave civilization behind? Don’t wait to find out the answer to these questions and more.
For more information on Keith Taylor, including books, bio, and upcoming readings head on over to his website.
