Meet UC San Diego Delegates Attending the 2024 UN Climate Conference in Azerbaijan

Students, faculty and staff from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and School of Global Policy and Strategy are set to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

With recent extreme weather events affecting people around the world, COP29 will have a specific emphasis on how finance will be made available and accessible to developing countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions as they continue to feel the impacts of climate catastrophes.

From Nov. 11-22, 2024, the United Nations (UN) climate conference creates a space for world leaders, politicians, experts and other hosts to discuss the climate crisis on a global level. 

The UC San Diego cohort will represent the University of California observer delegation, which includes affiliates from several other UC campuses.

The Ocean Pavilion, organized by Scripps Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and other leading global ocean organizations, will be returning for a third year to highlight the fundamental role of our ocean in the changing climate. Located inside the conference’s official meeting area or “Blue Zone,” the Ocean Pavilion will serve as the central hub for COP29 delegates and international climate negotiators to exchange ideas on addressing the climate crisis by leveraging ocean science and solutions. 

“The ocean can help solve some of the most critical climate challenges, from stabilizing Earth’s climate to sustainably feeding human populations to protecting marine species,” said Margaret Leinen, director of Scripps Oceanography and vice chancellor for marine sciences at UC San Diego and leader of the University of California non-governmental organization (NGO) accredited to attend COPs. “The members of our delegation bring expertise in everything from large-scale ocean circulation and ocean warming trends to how contaminants are diminishing the nutritional value of seafood. COP gives us an opportunity to translate that knowledge into national and global policy.”

For the first time, Scripps Oceanography will enact a policy of paying the “equity weighted” social cost of carbon (SCC) associated with the travel costs of its delegates. Individual travelers will be encouraged to pay a portion of the cost with Scripps contributing the remainder. The delegates will follow University of California guidelines created to acknowledge a realistic accounting of the damages that will be experienced around the world, and over the next few generations, from individuals’ travel. The term equity weighted means that wealthier regions have a higher SCC recognizing significant disparity in income and in the welfare impact of the same cost around the world. Currently the guidelines estimate that SCC is $265 per metric ton. The payment will be made in the form of donations to NGOs whose work focuses on helping societies and the environment deal with the impacts of climate change or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

UC officials said the endeavor will serve several purposes. Among them is awareness-raising about the costs of travel emissions and that many carbon offsets offered to travelers do not provide the benefits they promise.

"This approach helps us keep the environment whole without solely relying on carbon offsets,” said David Victor, professor of innovation and public policy at the School of Global Policy and Strategy and co-director of the Deep Decarbonization initiative at UC San Diego. “While a lot more work needs to be done by the aviation industry to address the climate crisis, this is an important step from the University of California to work on reducing the harm that travel-related emissions cause to the environment.”

Barbara Haya, who co-led the development of the University of California’s carbon offsets strategy added, “Making a contribution based on the social cost of carbon is a forward-looking alternative to buying offset credits. Funds go directly to climate projects, and this approach also makes transparent some of the true costs of our greenhouse gas emissions, borne disproportionately by the world’s most vulnerable.”

In addition to presenting and discussing ocean research with visitors at the Ocean Pavilion, UC San Diego delegates will have the opportunity to engage in other panel discussions and events throughout the conference, providing delegates with valuable skills and insights to help address some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges.

Travel for the Scripps Oceanography student delegation is generously supported by Logitech, a global company that designs technology for working, creating and gaming, and is committed to sustainable practices. 

In the profiles below, learn more about the students and faculty who will be representing the UC San Diego delegation in Azerbaijan and what they hope to achieve while at COP29.

Kerstin Bergentz, Scripps PhD Candidate (she/her)

Attending both weeks

Kerstin Bergentz is a Scripps PhD candidate studying physical oceanography. She works with Scripps physical oceanographers Jennifer MacKinnon and Luca Centurioni to research air-sea interactions and energy budgets in the upper ocean. “I feel honored to be part of the Scripps delegation to COP29, and I look forward to applying my knowledge of the ocean and global ocean monitoring programs in the world of international climate negotiations," said Bergentz. “More importantly, I am very excited to connect with and learn from people from around the world who are equally passionate about charting a sustainable path forward.”

Haley (Hale) Brown, Scripps MAS CSP Student (they/she)

Attending week two

Haley (Hale) Brown is a Master of Advanced Studies student in the Climate Science and Policy program at Scripps. Brown’s research focuses on the intersection of climate change and mental health, particularly in climate-vulnerable communities. She looks forward to attending COP29 to gain deeper insights into high-level negotiations and explore ways to integrate psychological resilience into climate adaptation frameworks. “I am excited to contribute to the collaboration between the health sector and climate experts, aiming to strengthen civil society’s capacity to foster robust mental health strategies that support locally-led climate responses,” said Brown.

Lucia Cancelada, Scripps PhD Candidate (she/her)

Attending week two

Lucia Cancelada is a Scripps PhD candidate from Argentina studying analytical and atmospheric chemistry. She works with Professor Lihini Aluwihare’s group on the transformation and fate of organic carbon in changing coastal environments from tropical peatlands to tidewater glaciers. “I am excited to attend COP29 to raise awareness about these topics and share findings on the impact of climate change on the carbon cycle,” said Cancelada.

Mitchell Chandler, Scripps PhD Candidate (he/him)

Attending week one 

Mitchell Chandler is a Scripps physical oceanography PhD candidate advised by researchers Nathalie Zilberman and Janet Sprintall. He studies the large-scale ocean currents that transport water and heat around the ocean. In doing so, these ocean currents help to regulate the temperature and climate of the Earth. As Chandler has progressed through his studies, he has become more invested in how he can apply his ocean and climate science expertise in ways that can have a broader impact beyond what is typically possible in a purely academic setting. “At COP29, I hope to be able to communicate our knowledge of the changing ocean to policymakers, organizations, and individuals who have the power to enact changes needed to reduce global warming and limit the impacts of rising temperatures,” said Chandler.

Elizabeth Connors, Scripps PhD Candidate (she/her)

Attending week two 

Elizabeth Connors is a Scripps PhD candidate studying ecosystem dynamics along the Western Antarctic Peninsula, with a focus on marine heterotrophic bacteria. She is a part of the Bowman Marine Microbial Ecology Lab, which uses genetic, experimental and modeling approaches to understand extreme bacteria around the globe. Connors' research has taken her to Antarctica to study how marine bacteria function in Antarctic food webs. “I am interested in attending COP29 to decide how political advocacy for polar ocean ecosystems can be a part of my career moving forward,” she said.

Tom Corringham, Scripps Research Economist (he/him)

Attending both weeks

Tom Corringham is a staff research economist at Scripps Oceanography. His research focuses on the economic impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. Corringham’s current projects include projections of the increasing costs of atmospheric rivers over the 21st century, an assessment of the economic impact of atmospheric rivers on road transportation networks, a study of flood vulnerability and environmental justice, and the development of natural language processing tools to evaluate climate action plans. Corringham is affiliated with the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at Scripps, the California Nevada Climate Applications Program (CNAP), the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SWCASC), and the San Diego Supercomputer Center’s WIFIRE program.

Roberto Hernandez Rodriguez, School of Global Policy and Strategy Master of International Affairs Student (he/him)

Attending week two

Roberto Hernandez is a Master of International Affairs student specializing in the economic development program at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy. As a Mexican citizen, he completed his undergraduate studies in international relations at El Colegio de Mexico. His academic interests lie in analyzing the intersection of economic, political, and social dynamics at the U.S.-Mexico border. Hernandez has served as a rapporteur at the Madrid energy policy conferences organized by the Institute of the Americas, and he interned at UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre in the Unit of Latin America and the Caribbean. “I am eager to leverage the COP29 platform to explore the relationship between economic inequality and climate change, focusing on the unique challenges faced by countries in the Global South,” he said.

Jaden Hill, Scripps MAS CSP Student (she/her)

Attending week two

Jaden Hill is a Scripps graduate student pursuing a Master of Advanced Studies in Climate Science and Policy. She is interested in environmental chemistry and its relation to environmental health and justice, particularly in vulnerable communities. Hill is excited to attend COP29 to learn more about climate change adaptation strategies and how they relate to environmental health concerns heightened by the impacts of climate change. “I look forward to learning from policymakers and adaptation specialists to understand the necessary steps in the policymaking process to create meaningful change in vulnerable communities,” said Hill. 

Ella Kim, Scripps PhD Candidate (she/her)

Attending week one

Ella Kim is a Scripps PhD candidate studying biological oceanography in Simone Baumann-Pickering’s Acoustic Ecology Lab. She is a NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar, and her research focuses on using fish sounds to better understand fish reproduction, essential fish habitat, and the impacts of climate change on fishes. “I’m interested in attending COP29 to explore how biological research can inform international policy,” said Kim. “I also hope to gain a deeper understanding of climate negotiations while connecting with global activists to advocate for our oceans.”

Margaret Leinen, Director of Scripps Oceanography (she/her)

Attending week one

Margaret Leinen is the director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and vice chancellor for marine sciences at UC San Diego. She is an award-winning ocean biogeochemist and paleoceanographer whose research includes studies of ocean carbon cycling and the role of the oceans in climate. Leinen has served as the president of the American Geophysical Union and The Oceanography Society. She also served as Chair of the U.S. Global Change Research Program and was a U.S. Department of State Science Envoy for the Ocean. Leinen currently serves as a member co-chair of the Decade Advisory Board for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Lisa Levin, Scripps Distinguished Professor Emeritus (she/her)

Attending both weeks

Lisa Levin is a pioneering biological oceanographer and distinguished professor emeritus at Scripps. Throughout her career, Levin has been at the forefront of research that shows how environmental conditions shape deep-sea communities on continental margins and how climate change is impacting vulnerable ecosystems in the deep sea. Levin is a leader in advancing conservation and observation of deep-sea ecosystems and has also made valuable contributions to the fields of coastal wetland ecology and larval connectivity. She founded and co-leads the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), dedicated to bringing deep-sea science to policymakers, and has been instrumental in efforts to develop the Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS), a global initiative to integrate deep observing efforts to benefit science and society.

McKenna Maxwell, School of Global Policy and Strategy Master of Public Policy Student (she/her)

Attending week two 

McKenna Maxwell is a Master of Public Policy student, specializing in environmental policy at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy. The summer between her first and second year, Maxwell interned with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in their Loss and Damage Unit in Bonn, Germany. There, she contributed to the development of technical products on comprehensive risk management, slow onset events, non-economic losses and human mobility in the context of climate change. “At COP29, I am looking forward to attending the sessions on Loss and Damage, adaptation, and climate finance,” said Maxwell.

Vanessa Minnis, Scripps PhD Student (she/her)

Attending week one 

Vanessa Minnis is a Scripps PhD student studying marine biology in Professor Jack Gilbert’s lab. She is researching how soil microbial communities can enhance carbon sequestration. Minnis is looking forward to attending and participating in COP29 as it provides a platform to engage with global leaders and innovators in climate solutions. “I hope to gain insight into how international policies and grassroots initiatives can be aligned to implement microbial-based soil solutions globally while exploring opportunities to integrate my research with large-scale carbon reduction strategies,” said Minnis. “I’m also excited to meet individuals from around the world and engage in meaningful conversations on global climate action.”

Aiden Rosas, School of Global Policy and Strategy Master of Public Policy candidate (he/him)

Attending week two

Aiden Rosas is a Master of Public Policy candidate at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy, specializing in environmental policy. He has a special interest in the continuing transition to greener energy sources. Beyond that, Rosas is interested in community-driven initiatives and ways to involve communities affected by climate change in solutions that will help them the most. “At COP29, I am looking forward to the diverse discussions and meeting people from around the world,” said Rosas. “Some key issues I will be tracking are sustainable food development, financing for developing countries, and turning the abstract goals of COP28 into tangible actions.”

Carina Ruscitti, School of Global Policy and Strategy Master of Public Policy candidate (she/her)

Attending week two 

Carina Ruscitti is a Master of Public Policy candidate specializing in environmental policy and program evaluation. Her academic and professional endeavors are driven by her passion for large-scale waste reduction and resource conservation. Ruscitti is excited to witness the intersection of policy, science, and socio-economics in action to develop climate solutions. “I look forward to the discussion around the Global Goal on Adaptation and learning about the innovative climate strategies being used in different regions around the world,” said Ruscitti.

Vladimir Ryabinin, Former Executive Secretary for the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at UNESCO (he/him)

Attending both weeks 

Vladimir Ryabinin is the former Executive Secretary for the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at UNESCO. In this role, he proposed and led the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Prior to that, he was the Senior Science Officer of the World Climate Research Program. His background includes being an oceanographer, climatologist, and ocean engineer. He received a Senior Doctorate in Physical and Mathematical Sciences (Oceanography and Geophysics) from the Supreme Attestation Committee of the Russian Federation. At COP29, Ryabinin will serve as an advisor to the Scripps delegation. 

Amina Schartup, Scripps Marine Biogeochemist (she/her)

Attending both weeks

Amina Schartup is a marine biogeochemist and associate professor in the Geosciences Research Division at Scripps. She is a multidisciplinary researcher with science policy experience within U.S. government interagency committees and intergovernmental working groups relating to climate change, global pollutants, environmental conservation, Indigenous People and resilience. Schartup has led research showing that warming oceans could result in an increase in methylmercury in popular seafood. She was also a 2017-2019 American Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the NSF Office of Polar Program–Arctic Section, where she developed a federal guidance document on pursuing ethical research in the Arctic.

Freeha Siddiqi, Scripps MAS MBC Candidate (she/her)

Attending week one

Freeha Siddiqi is a Scripps graduate student in the Master of Advanced Studies program in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. She is interested in the intersection between the protection and restoration of carbon sinks and fisheries management, particularly in low-income countries. Siddiqi has a background in international development and global health and applies a people-centric approach to her conservation practice. “I’m thrilled to attend COP29 and work with the Ocean Pavilion,” she said. “I hope to spend my open time attending regional hubs to pull insights on the challenges coastal territories experience with climate change, approaches to mitigation policy, barriers to cooperation, and how these issues apply to marine conservation.”

Benjamin Taylor, Scripps PhD Candidate (he/him)

Attending week one

Benjamin Taylor is a Scripps PhD candidate working with scientists Lynne Talley and Shang-Ping Xie on understanding large-scale changes in the global ocean. He uses large observational datasets, particularly from Argo and Biogeochemical Argo floats, and climate model experiments to study how the ocean sequesters heat and carbon from the atmosphere. Taylor’s thesis focuses on how changing ocean currents modulate the movements of heat, carbon, and oxygen that maintain a habitable climate in the Earth system. “I’m attending COP29 to share the critical science oceanographers have learned from global ocean observing systems, such as BGC-Argo. While there, I hope to learn from people with a broad range of experiences of the environmental crisis and perspectives on addressing it in the decades to come,” said Taylor.