UW Researcher on COP28 Climate Change Summit

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) A UW researcher is back from the COP28 Climate Summit.

Professor Jonathan Patz attended the recently concluded UN Climate Change Summit in Dubai. “This is the first time that UN Conference of the Parties climate summit has had the word fossil fuel in its final negotiated agreement.” Patz said that acknowledgement is critical, IF we’re going to reduce emissions. “75% of the problem is burning fossil fuels.”

Patz says notably, the final agreement called for transitioning away from fossil fuels. “And of course, we're talking about emissions reductions, but finally saying, ‘well, where did those emissions come from?’ 75% of the problem is burning fossil fuels. And of course, deforestation is the other problem.”

Patz, whose research centers on health and the environment, says human health is at the center of climate action.

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