News COP28 Celebrations 08.12.2023

In an inspiring week dedicated to environmental awareness, the school has been engaging in a series of events celebrating COP28, organised by the school’s passionate Sustainability Committee. The week aimed to educate, engage, and empower students on the urgent issues of climate change, aligning with the global efforts of COP28, hosted by the UAE from November 30 to December 12.

The week commenced with the COP28 Film Festival featuring Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Mary Portas’s latest documentary, The Great Climate Fight. Various student societies hosted enlightening sessions, including the Biomedical Society’s Sustainable Medicine Talk exploring eco-friendly healthcare solutions. Classics Club took students on a journey through Ancient Rome’s sustainable legacy, while Spanish Chats dived into environmental discussions en español. Students discovered how the music industry embraces sustainability, and the Social Sciences Society, the Foreign Literature Club, and the Philosophy Book Club, hosted thought-provoking discussions on sustainability’s societal, literary, and philosophical dimensions.

Using a special CO2 calculator, the catering staff at Godolphin have included the carbon content of each main meal on the menu for this week and next, helping us to make more sustainable, low carbon content, dietary choices.

The middle of the week featured a film screening of The Great Climate Scandal and a captivating talk by the Physics Engineering Club on Fusion and the Future of Sustainable Energy’. In Middle Eastern Affairs Club, students focused on innovative water conservation in arid regions, and the Feminist Society delved into the concept of eco-feminism intertwining gender perspectives with environmental advocacy.

The penultimate day showcased an interdisciplinary approach to environmental discussions. The China Club and China Film Club joined forces in MG7 to explore China’s role in environmental sustainability, while the Feminist Society continued their exploration of ecofeminism. Additionally, the Model United Nations in Room 13 provided a deep dive into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As COP28 celebrations drew to a close, Model United Nations discussed the Sustainable Development Goals, Psychology Club explored the psychology behind marketing sustainable products, and Economics Society tackled the question of whether nuclear power is the future of green energy. The History Society provided historical context with a discussion on the impact of the Little Ice Age.

To conclude the week, the school hosted a Climate Café, which gave students the space to have open conversations about the climate crisis, fostering unstructured discussions and interactive activities.

The COP28 celebrations at Godolphin stand as a testament to the school community’s commitment to sustainability, inspiring students to become active contributors to a greener and more resilient future.