John Anderson

United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25)

This 25th annual international summit on climate change has had a rocky start; last year, initial host country Brazil withdrew its offer to host the conference, then replacement host country Chile did the same in October of this year. Spain will now play host to 12 days of talks addressing the biggest issue challenging the world today: climate change, and our dwindling window to take meaningful steps to stave off its worst effects. While this is an international crisis, Texas in particular has experienced a rise in climate-related disasters and will face unique challenges in terms of human migration, disaster resilience, and vulnerable populations.

In partnership with The Austin Chronicle, Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy/Texas Impact is sending Austinites Bee Moorhead and Erica Nelson to attend this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25). Check back here for their daily dispatches from the conference and analysis of what this global climate policymaking means for Texas.


The Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2000, providing theologically grounded public policy analysis to people of faith and other Texans. The Interfaith Center is the research and education partner of Texas Impact, a 501(c)(4) interfaith legislative advocacy network.

This Week on <I>The Austin Chronicle Show</i>: Climate Emergency, and a Calamitous Conclusion to <i>Star Wars</i>
Climate Emergency, and Bad Star Wars
Texas Impact talks COP 25, plus our review of The Rise of Skywalker

Dec. 20, 2019

COP25: Greta Thunberg Addresses the Climate Change Conference
Greta Thunberg Addresses Conference
VIDEO: Climate activist and badass teenager rises above, again

Dec. 13, 2019

COP25: Community-Based Climate Adaptation
Decoding Climate Adaptation
VIDEO: What will it take to adapt to the new normal?

Dec. 12, 2019

COP25: Sister Jayanti Kirpalani on What Brings Her Courage When the Confronting Climate Crisis
Sister Jayanti Kirpalani on What Brings Her Courage
A better world is still within our grasp, faith leader says

Dec. 12, 2019

COP25: Holding the U.S. Accountable for its Ruinous Impacts on the Climate
Holding the U.S. Accountable
WATCH: A Texan anti-fracking activist on life in the Permian Basin

Dec. 11, 2019

COP25: We Can’t Keep Global Warming Capped at 1.5 Degrees Celsius If Oil & Gas Don’t Do Their Part
COP25: We Can’t Keep Global Warming Capped at 1.5 Degrees Celsius If Oil & Gas Don’t Do Their Part
VIDEO: There’s no wiggle room for adding more fossil fuel production

Dec. 10, 2019

COP25: The Fossil of the Day Award
COP25: The Fossil of the Day Award
VIDEO: Another day, another ignominious win for America

Dec. 10, 2019

COP25: Women as Agents of Change in the Climate Crisis
Women as Agents of Change
VIDEO: Increasing the role of women in climate change mitigation

Dec. 9, 2019

COP25: How to Talk to Texans About the Climate Crisis
How to Talk About the Climate Crisis
Texas is a renewable energy leader. Let’s celebrate that.

Dec. 9, 2019

COP25: The Fossil of the Day Award Goes to...
U.S. and Russia Tie for Fossil of the Day
VIDEO: Who’s the best at being the worst? Grab a mirror.

Dec. 6, 2019

COP25: Youth Behind the Fridays for Future Movement Speak
Young People Power a Movement
Greta Thunberg's #Climatestrike continues to inspire

Dec. 6, 2019

COP25: Decoding Carbon Markets
COP25: Decoding Carbon Markets
VIDEO: Is carbon trading the solution, or a shell game?

Dec. 6, 2019

COP25: Housing Rights and Climate Change
Housing Rights and Climate Change
Where two crises – climate and housing – meet: "Catastrophe."

Dec. 5, 2019

Point Austin: Can't Say We Weren't Warned
Point Austin: Can't Say We Weren't Warned
New U.N. "emissions gap" report heightens climate change alarm.

Dec. 5, 2019

How Texas Impact Turns Faith Into a Tool for Progress
Turning Faith Into a Tool for Progress
VIDEO: See Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy / Texas Impact's reports from the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP25

Dec. 5, 2019

COP25: Members of Frontline Communities Describe Life in a Sacrifice Zone
What It's Like Living in a Sacrifice Zone
VIDEO: Permian Basin residents on how the landscape has altered

Dec. 4, 2019

COP25: Faith and the Climate
COP25: Faith and the Climate
VIDEO: What faith leaders are doing to advocate for change

Dec. 4, 2019

COP25: A Three-Way Tie for "Fossil of the Day" Award at the UN Climate Change Conference
"Fossil of the Day" Award
VIDEO: Which country is the best at being the worst?

Dec. 3, 2019

COP25: When It Comes to Climate Change, What Does "Loss and Damage" Mean?
Climate Change: Loss & Damage
VIDEO: Texas Impact unveils Climate Policy 101

Dec. 3, 2019

COP25: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Addresses UN Climate Change Conference
Nancy Pelosi Speaks at Climate Conference
VIDEO: U.S. Congressional delegation in Madrid for climate talks

Dec. 2, 2019

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