Clever Whales and the Violent Fight for Fish on the Line
In an article for Hakai Magazine, International Environmental Policy student Nick Rahaim ’22 describes the conflict between global fisheries and the hungry whales that eat their catch.
Middlebury cohort participates in global climate solutions at COP30 in Brazil
Meet the delegates from Middlebury Global Climate Policy Network joining the international climate conference in Belém, Brazil November 10-21, 2025!
They are joining world leaders, scientists, policymakers, industry representatives and delegates from around the globe who will be gathering in the Amazon city of Belém at the 30th United Nations (UN) Conference of the Parties, or COP30. What is the goal of COP? To negotiate national responses to climate change on a global level. COP30, the 30th conference, aims to accelerate the implementation with a focus on finance pledges and equitable engagement. This is the first time the COP has been held in Brazil.
In all, 5 representatives from Middlebury will travel to Belém, including 4 current graduate students and one recent alumnus. Each has prepared with intention. As representatives of the Middlebury observer delegation at COP30, they will lead panel discussions around climate finance and the role of higher education in climate policy. They will also be volunteering for the Ocean Pavilion and the youth and indigenous delegations. Travel to COP30 for the delegation is generously supported by Middlebury’s Ron and Jessica Liebowitz Fund for Innovation, Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation, and the Center for Blue Economy.
Importantly, the delegation will also be updating the broader with live sessions, , and answering questions from the network. This professional network of students, staff, faculty and alumni across Middlebury College, Schools, and the Institute has been an incredible opportunity to connect a community with shared interests. The network was initiated in 2025 with generous support from Middlebury’s Ron and Jessica Liebowitz Fund for Innovation.
Want to Learn more? Join us Friday!
LIVE from COP30 with the MIIS Delegation
Friday, Nov. 14th, 10AM to 11:15AM PT
via Zoom and live from the Center for the Blue Economy
Description: COP30 is underway. It is the 30th year. Is it working? In this session, we will explore questions around what climate leadership looks like on the international stage. We will hear from current Middlebury Institute students who are at COP30 on what they are experiencing. Are you interested in ways you can become more engaged? Join this conversation and learn about the recent launch of the Middlebury Global Climate Policy Network.
Facilitated by: Angela Izi
Join via
This session is part of the Fall Forum:
What Works Now? Middlebury Fall Climate Forum
November 14-16, 2025 (event schedule)
Breakout: Leadership Past, Present, and Future: International Agreements and Policy
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The COP Network brings together Middlebury College and MIIS students, alumni, faculty, and staff who share a common interest in international climate policy. The primary goal of this network is to facilitate knowledge exchange and foster deeper understanding of global climate negotiations through direct engagement with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP).
The network aims to demystify the COP process by creating an experiential learning opportunity for participants, and sharing their knowledge with the broader network community. A key component of this initiative is to support the participation of at least two students and one alum to attend COP30 through the Middlebury observer delegation status. These participants will gain firsthand insight into the complexities and dynamics of international climate negotiations. The network also organizes virtual events before and after COP to share knowledge, insights, and ideas.
To join the group, any Middlebury student„ alumni, faculty, or staff from the College, Institute or any of the Schools can sign up though this . The group is coordinated through periodic emails to share events and a group to share ideas, opportunities, and make professional connections.
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Want to Fight Russian Aggression in Ukraine and Beyond? Decarbonize
In a San Francisco Chronicle opinion article, Jason Scorse, director of the Institute’s Center for the Blue Economy and David Helvarg, executive director of Blue Frontier, argue that sanctioning Russia’s oil and natural gas exports is crucial to the U.S. response to the crisis in Ukraine.
| by Jason Scorse; David Helvarg
Center for the Blue Economy Director Jason Scorse and partner organization Blue Frontier’s Director David Helvarg wrote this timely and impacting piece in the San Francisco Chronicle. “Rapidly transitioning the U.S. and global economies to renewable energy would not only weaken our foes, it will also save millions of lives while strengthening our national security and protecting our common future,” the authors write.
Global Dialogue on Ocean Accounting
Ocean accounts organise social, economic and environmental information to enable coherent measurement of progress towards sustainable ocean development.
The Middlebury Climate Change Semester: Inaugural Program Begins
January 2022 marked the start of the first-ever Middlebury Climate Change Semester program, a unique and much-anticipated collaboration between Middlebury College in Vermont, and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) at Monterey. Undergraduate students from Middlebury College have joined graduate students at MIIS to study place-based examples of climate change, environmental history, and environmental justice.
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Needs Your Support
| by Rachel Christopherson and Chumash NMS Press Release
The Indigenous-led effort to create the is crossing a significant milestone, and members of the public are requested to by January 28th.
The ocean needs our help — now
| by Jason Scorse; David Helvarg
In a recent piece in MSN News, Jason Scorse, Director of the Blue Economy and David Helvarg, Executive Director of Blue Frontier, lay out that our public seas must play a central role in national climate policy, and we have no time to waste.