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Stellenbosch University Library celebrated this year\u2019s International Open Access Week 2022 by presenting a three-day programme that took place from 26-28 October. The celebrated theme \u201cOpen for Climate Justice<\/em>\u201d showcased a number of SU speakers who addressed the sub-themes of Climate Diversity<\/em>, Climate Studies & Global Leadership<\/em> and Climate Sustainability & Open Access at Stellenbosch University<\/em>.<\/p>\n 26 October \u2013 Climate Diversity<\/strong><\/p>\n Prof Ruppel from the department of Mercantile Law, addressed the issues of climate justice versus climate responsibility, a South-North perspective.\u00a0 He noted that the more affluent countries, such as those in the Global North, are responsible for around half of all the greenhouse gas emissions.\u00a0 Whereas the Global South with the least greenhouse gas emissions, are the ones who are suffering as a result.\u00a0 Yet the accountability of these adverse effects of climate change, hence climate justice, is complex and shrouded in legal, political, economic and philosophical issues.\u00a0 He believes the North-South inequality can bridge the gap by recognising and acknowledging each others’ different realities and thereby objectively tackle global climate change.<\/p>\n Dr Okoliko from the School of Public Leadership, talked about a social media research study of public views on the COP26 coal phase-out deal for South Africa.\u00a0 Their analysis showed Facebook to be the primary source of news and the \u2018go to\u2019 platform for several South African news media.\u00a0 By analysing the comments and views of the people, they discovered an overwhelmingly negative sentiment towards the deal.\u00a0 However, the negativity is based on legitimate issues, such as the proper allocation of funding, the pros and cons of this deal for South Africa, the environmental impact and potential job losses within the industry.<\/p>\n Prof Helen de Klerk and Mr Bailey from the department of Geography & Environmental Studies presented a dual paper.\u00a0 They looked at various open access resources that provided geospatial data in geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) data.\u00a0 These data repositories can be used for creating climate forecasting, climate change modules and climate simulations.\u00a0 They also discussed the basic and advanced uses of these open data resources.<\/p>\n Recording: Open Access Week 2022 Climate Diversity 26 October 2022<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n 27 October \u2013 \u00a0Climate Studies & Global Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n Prof Guy Midgley from the department of Botany & Zoology and School for Climate Studies gave a brief overview of climate inequality in so far that less than 3% of the world\u2019s investment into climate science is allocated to the whole of the African content.\u00a0 He also discussed regional solutions, for example the green hydrogen deal will work for Namibia, but it cannot work for South Africa.\u00a0 By way of demonstration, he used a MIT database, En-Roads<\/a>, demonstrating the various vectors that are involved in decision-making when it comes to finding solutions to climate challenge.<\/p>\n Miss Mbuyisa and Miss Murray from the department of Botany & Zoology, represented the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) Youth Ambassadors for 2022.\u00a0 They not only represented Stellenbosch University but were also the only representatives from an African University.\u00a0 They, along with several other SU students, were the African voices for a global youth programme that involved discussions around climate change.\u00a0 They gained insight from multiple disciplines and learned about West-centric ideas verses Africanacity. Having gained considerable knowledge and experience, they were able to host the African Regional Forum at the School for Climate Studies.<\/p>\n