2025-05-16

Under the shade of the iconic Bodhi Tree, National Sun Yat-sen University hosted the Worldwide Teach-In on Climate and Justice under the theme "Our Climate, Our Future," joining more than 300 institutions across 61 countries in this year's OSUN (Open Society University Network) global initiative.

More than just a campus event, the student-led teach-ins at NSYSU represented a powerful intersection of science, social equity, and innovation. Supported by interdisciplinary faculties from marine science to humanities, the event was vibrant with thought-provoking dialogue and a shared sense of urgency.

The event program featured six table-panel topics to engage the audience in discussing solutions and action-driven projects to combat the climate crisis. One panel unveiled an original board game that uses cards to demonstrate how everyday energy decisions can mitigate or exacerbate environmental harm. Another highlighted Taiwan's blue carbon ecosystems—mangrove forests and seagrass meadows—underscoring their indispensable role in natural carbon sequestration and the broader fight against climate change. A third collective examined climate justice, detailing how economically vulnerable and marginalized communities disproportionately bear the impacts of global warming, and called for policy responses that prioritize fairness and inclusiveness. In a showcase of technological innovation, one table-panel demonstrated the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture, optimizing pesticide usage and automating irrigation and lighting systems to conserve energy. Practical counsel on reducing individual carbon footprints rounded out the presentations, with recommendations ranging from curbing fast-fashion consumption to selecting eco-friendly products. Finally, a team demystified the carbon trading market, explaining how companies purchase and sell emissions allowances and exploring the challenges inherent in market-based climate policies.

A highlight of the event was the Climate Pledge Banner, a visual commitment signed by all participants and audience members, signifying one's actual involvement in the process of empowering climate leadership through interdisciplinary action. The pledge underscored the participants' commitment to climate responsibility in the communities. This shared commitment marked a powerful step toward fostering climate leadership and building a just, sustainable future for people and the planet. The participating students received praise through a small certificate distribution ceremony, which concluded the event.

Museum practitioners specializing in climate exhibitions from the National Science and Technology Museum also attended, engaging in fruitful discussions with students and enriching the exchange of ideas on how best to communicate climate science to the public. Faculty colleagues who joined the events included Yuh-Yuh Li (Si Wan College), Jephian C.H. Lin (Mathematics), Somnath Kale (Engineering), Shivani Shirke (Environmental Engineering), Yu-Chieh Lao (Business Management), Leols Lee (Music), Foo Xue Ling (Marine Engineering), and Chi-I Lin (Center for General Education).

This event not only highlighted student leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration but also reinforced NSYSU's ongoing mission to integrate climate education into mainstream academic and public discourse.

Together, the NSYSU community and its partners continue to drive the conversation toward climate solutions, empowering the next generation of change-makers.

Climate Pledge
"I pledge to protect our planet and act for a just, sustainable future.
I will reduce my carbon footprint by making climate-friendly choices in my daily life through the food I eat, the way I travel, the energy I use, and the things I buy.
I will raise awareness, support climate education, and inspire others to join me in taking meaningful action.
Together, we can create a world where people and nature thrive."