**MEDIA ADVISORY ** WEEK ONE NATURE ZONE PAVILION - COP27

National Geographic Society leaders and National Geographic Explorers to offer a broad programme of events in week one of COP27.

National Geographic Society (NGS) leaders and National Geographic Explorers - the Society’s grantees - will offer a broad programme of events in The Nature Zone Pavilion, Blue Zone at COP27. During week one (6-12 November), NGS panels will focus on the role of storytelling in documenting the global climate crisis; how local communities are protecting some of the most biodiverse places in Africa; and how young Explorers are at the forefront of the youth-led climate movement in their respective countries.

The week one lineup of events includes:

Tuesday, Nov 8

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM | The Nature Zone Pavilion (Delegations Area - Pavilions Hall 5 (Zone c, P128), Blue Zone | Livestream link here

The Storyteller and the Changemakers: A Case for Hope

Compelling, science-based stories are critical for raising awareness about how the climate crisis is affecting people - particularly within communities that have not contributed to the problem. Miora Rajaonary, National Geographic Explorer from Madagascar joins Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer of NGS, and Sally Fouts, Director of The Climate Pledge, for a conversation about the power of visual, authentic storytelling to document the global climate crisis and the creative solutions local communities are implementing. Miora will describe her work capturing climate impacts on food supply and agricultural solutions to Southern Madagascar’s “kéré,” or period of hunger.

Wednesday, November 9

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | The Nature Zone Pavilion (Delegations Area - Pavilions Hall 5 (Zone c, P128), Blue Zone | Livestream link here

Protecting the Okavango Basin: A Win for Nature, Climate, and People

While the iconic Okavango Delta is protected in Botswana, 95% of the water that feeds it comes from Angola - which is not protected and faces the threats of climate change, habitat destruction, and water diversion. Protecting the Okavango Basin, which spans Angola, Namibia, and Botswana (an area larger than California) represents one of the most critical conservation opportunities in Africa this decade. Learn how the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project is working with local communities and governments to protect and preserve a place that is home to one million people, half the remaining elephants on the planet, and Africa’s second-largest peatland system.

Panelists

• Bogolo J. Kenewendo, UN Climate Change High-Level Climate Champions’ Special Advisor, Africa Director
• Vladimir “Vlady” Russo, Senior Technical Advisor for Angola, National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project
• (Moderator) Ian Miller, Chief Science and Innovation Officer, National Geographic Society

Thursday, November 10

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | The Nature Zone Pavilion (Delegations Area - Pavilions Hall 5 (Zone c, P128), Blue Zone | Livestream link here

Elevating Youth Voices: A Conversation with Youth Climate Leaders, The Nature Conservancy, and the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy share a deep commitment to empowering young people to take action on behalf of the planet. Join Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, and Ian Miller, Chief Science and Innovation Officer of NGS, for a conversation with National Geographic Young Explorers Sophia Kianni (United States) and Eyal Weintraub (Argentina). These Young Explorers will discuss why elevating youth voices is key to tackling climate change and supporting a more inclusive conservation field. They’ll also share how their environmental education projects are helping to change the climate conversation in communities around the world.

CONTACTS AND NOTES TO EDITORS:

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact: Steph Miceli, Senior Manager, Impact Communications, National Geographic Society

Mobile, Whatsapp: +1 617 943 951, smiceli@ngs.org

More information about the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project is available here.