Minnesotans represent the Midwest — the world's sixth-largest emitter — at COP 26

COP26 - Protests
A protester is seen speaking into a megaphone while surrounded by police officers outside the COP26 Summit on Wednesday in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Peter Summers | Getty Images

World leaders are meeting in Glasgow this week for the COP26 climate talks. But they aren’t the only ones. Minnesotans and other Midwesterners are also there, which makes a lot of sense when you think about this:

“If the Midwest were to be an independent country, it would be the sixth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Sixth,” said J. Drake Hamilton, senior director of science policy for Fresh Energy.

Hamilton, along with government officials and business leaders from the Midwest, hosted a session at the gathering to highlight the region’s successes in reducing emissions. Pat Hamilton, director of climate change, energy and the environment for the Science Museum of Minnesota, was also there to present with other leaders of cultural organizations about their role in educating the public about climate change.

Both joined Climate Cast this week from Glasgow.

Click play on the audio player above or subscribe to the podcast to hear more.

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