Marij flies to Azerbaijan: My Journey to COP29
| Date: | 16 December 2024 |
| Author: | Marij Tolsma |
Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. A dream come true for a Global Responsibility & Leadership student at University of Groningen, Campus Fryslan. As I packed my bags, excitement and nerves intertwined. What would it be like to stand amidst global leaders and changemakers tackling the world's most pressing climate challenges?
Frisian translation available below
It All Started with a Pen and Passion
My journey to COP29 began with a writing competition organized by the Global Center of Adaptation (GCA) and the University of Groningen. The task was to submit an op-ed highlighting the critical importance of climate adaptation solutions, drawing on our personal passions and interests. Having always been deeply passionate about water and its vital role in our world, I was inspired by a thought-provoking lecture on water technology by Wetsus professor Cees Buisman, hosted by Studium Generale at our campus. This lecture sparked my decision to explore how innovative water technologies can help us adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.
When I received the news that I had won, I was overwhelmed with surprise, excitement, and a healthy dose of nerves. In just three weeks, I would be boarding a plane on my own to attend a major international conference in a country I had never visited. The days that followed were a whirlwind of visa applications, flight bookings, and preparation, all fueled by a growing sense of excitement for the journey ahead.
On the Ground in Baku
From the moment I landed in Azerbaijan, it was clear this would be a life-changing experience. I shadowed Patrick Verkooijen, the GCA director, who warned me to "get some sleep beforehand" because the days would be packed, and he wasn’t kidding! We raced from meetings with world leaders like Hilda Heine, the president of the Marshall Islands, to discussions with delegates from countries like the UK. I barely had time to catch my breath before diving into another intense conversation or taking notes for my reflections.
Meeting President Heine was especially memorable. Hearing her describe the existential threats her island nation faces due to rising sea levels left me both heartbroken and deeply motivated. Climate change isn’t an abstract issue for her people it’s a daily reality. Sitting across from her, I realized just how urgent and personal this fight is.
A Seat at the Table for Youth Voices
One of the most memorable moments was attending a dinner with youth delegates and changemakers from around the world. It was an incredible honor to not only deliver a speech and receive my certificate from Adriana Valenzuela Jimenez during this impactful event but also to engage in meaningful conversations with remarkable individuals. Among them were COP29 Youth Climate Champion Leyla Hasanova and many others who shared their inspiring stories and work in climate action.
Witnessing so many young people passionately advocating for their futures despite the obstacles was deeply inspiring. Yet, the tension between nations was noticeable. Developing countries pressed for greater support from wealthier nations to address climate adaptation, and the pace of progress often felt really slow. The frustration in the voices of young delegates was clear, but so was their unwavering determination to keep pushing forward.
Lessons from COP29
Though the conference had its moments of hopelessness, I also found reasons for optimism. At the Africa Pavilion, I saw the vibrancy and innovation emerging from a continent brimming with youthful energy. As Patrick Verkooijen aptly put it, “This will be Africa’s century.”
For me, the experience underscored the importance of water technology and climate adaptation. While mitigation often takes center stage at conferences like COP, adaptation is equally critical—especially for vulnerable regions already facing the harsh realities of climate change. I hope to continue raising awareness about this balance.
Bringing It Back Home
Returning to Leeuwarden, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. The lessons I brought back from Baku have inspired me to share my experiences with my peers at Campus Fryslân and to contribute to solutions that combine innovation and collaboration. My conversations with leaders from Wetsus and the WaterCampus were just the beginning, and I hope that one day, I’ll have the opportunity to contribute to their groundbreaking work in water technology.
At 19, I know I can’t solve the climate crisis alone. But I’ve learned that every voice matters, and even small contributions can spark meaningful change. After my time in Baku, I’m more determined than ever to raise my voice, share my perspective, and inspire others to join the fight for a more sustainable future.
Marij Tolsma nei COP29 yn Bakoe: In avontoer as gjin oar!
Jim hawwe it miskien wol foarby kommen sjoen, op Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin of sels yn de Ljouwerter krante. Ik bin ôfrûne moanne nei Bakoe in Azerbedjaan reizige foar COP29. Ik ha troch myn oplieding oan de Universiteit fan Grins op Campus Fryslan yn Ljouwert de kans krigen om mei in skriuw wedstriid fan de Global Center on Adaptation mei te dwaan. En tot myn grutte ferbazing ha ik dat wûn! Dit betekende dat ik yn minder as trije wiken allinnich yn it fleantúch soe stappe om in grutte wrâldwide konferinsje by te wenjen yn in lân dêr’t ik noch nea west hie. COP29 is in wrâldwide klimaatkonferinsje wêr’t ynternasjonale lieders, NGO's, en jongeren byinoar komme om te praten oer de takomst fan ús planeet. De dagen dy't folgen wiene in twirrewyn fan fisum oanfragen, boeken fan de flucht en hotel, interviews en tarieding. Allegear oanfjurre troch in tanimmend gefoel fan entûsjasme en spanning foar de reis dy't foar my lei. Fanôf de earste dei wie it dúdlik dat dit net allinnich in profesjonele reis wêze soe, mar ek in persoanlike reis fol groei en ynspiraasje.
De earste oeren yn Bakoe
Nei in goede flucht mei in tuskenstop yn Istanbul kaam ik yn 'e nacht oan yn Bakoe. It wie eefkes spannend om midden yn de nacht troch it Athletes Village te navigearjen, dat eartiids brûkt waard troch atleten fan de Europeeske Spullen yn 2015. It fielde as in spookstêd, mei sletten diken en gebouwen yn renovaasje. Mar ik dielde in royaal appartemint mei in kollega fan GCA (Global Center on Adaptation), dy't fanwegen har erfaring my al gau tips joech oer hoe’t ik it bêste troch it konferinsjeprogramma komme koe.
De Konferinsje begjint
De earste dei wie yntinsyf en hiel drok. De lokaasje wie gigantysk en it wie maklik om te ferdwalen yn de lange, identike gongen. Ek al wie it soms útdaagjend om by alle eveneminten yn de seal te kommen, de petearen yn de rigen, mei minsken út ûnder oare Kanada en Sweden, wienen like weardefol. By de paviljoenen wie it fassinearjend om te sjen hokker lannen en organisaasjes har bêst dienen om har ideeën út te drukken.
Wichtige mominten
By de ferskate gearkomsten krige ik de kâns om ynspiraasje op te dwaan fan pioniers yn klimaatadaptaasje. Fan side-eveneminten oer oanpassing oan klimaatferoaring oant ûnderhannelingen yn de plenêre seal, ik seach mei eigen eagen hoe kompleks en krúsjaal dizze diskusjes binne. By in evenemint fan GCA hie ik sels in persoanlik momint mei in ynspirearjende presidint dy't ik earder al moete hie. Har waarmte en liederskip hawwe grutte yndruk op my makke.
Persoanlike groei
De dagen wienen lang en yntinsyf, en it wie dúdlik dat ik net de iennichste wie dy't de wurgens fielde. Minsken sieten oeral te wurkjen, sels op de grûn. Mar troch dizze ûnderfining fielde ik hoe folle ik yn dizze koarte tiid groeid bin. Fan it netwurkjen mei ynternasjonale kollega’s, myself leare delsette op san grut evenemint en yn de eigen regio, mar ek seker it allinnich op reis wêzen. Dizze reis hat my mear selsbetrouwen jûn en jout my kânsen foar de takomst.
Wer nei Thús
De lêste dei wie dûbel. Oan de iene kant wie ik klear om nei hûs, nei Fryslân te gean, nei myn feiliche en bekinde bubbel. Mar oan de oare kant hie ik it besef hoe folle ik yn dizze wike leard en belibbe hie, ik hie yn in pear dagen tiid myn draai der ek wol fûn. COP29 yn Bakoe sil altyd in bysûnder plak ynnimme yn myn libben, in plak wêr't ik myn passie foar in duorsume takomst fierder ûntwikkele ha.
Tank foar it folgjen fan myn reis en hooplik kinne myn ynsichten ek oaren ynspirearje om aksje te ûndernimmen foar ús klimaat!
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About the author
Marij Tolsma is a second-year Global Responsibility & Leadership student. This year, she was the winner of Global Center on Adaptation’s annual op-ed competition. As a result, she joined GCA’s delegation to COP29 in Baku, seizing the opportunity to participate in critical global climate discussions and further amplify her voice in climate adaptation advocacy.