Student Spotlight: Vicky Kelberer on Climate and Conflict
Vicky Kelberer, MA Candidate at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, has spoken and written in numerous recent media venues about the implications of the refugee crisis in Syria
On August 31, Kelberer wrote an article entitled “Climate and Conflict: Instability’s Effects on Ozone Depletion” in the international affairs news outlet Parabellum Report.
From the text of the article:
What is bad for human development is good for the planet: A recent scientific study found that a climate-harming chemical, nitrogen dioxide, decreased from 2010 to 2014 in politically insecure areas, including Syria and Greece, but increased in refugee host countries taking in large numbers of people fleeing from conflict.
You can read the entire article here.
The Parabellum Report was founded in 2015 by Pardee School alumnus Russ Read. Learn more about it here.
On Sept. 9, Kelberer wrote an article for the Huffington Post entitled “10 Things You Can Do From Boston to Help Refugees.” From the text of the article:
On Friday, I overheard two Sox fans headed to Fenway Park earnestly discussing refugees. They expressed sorrow over the image of Aylan Kurdi circulating on social media, and wished aloud they could do more to help. While more than 5,000 miles may separate Boston and Damascus, the heart of the Syrian refugee crisis, there are concrete steps people can take locally to have an impact on the lives of refugees. These actions may seem small when taken alone, but with concerted efforts by enough people, the inadequate humanitarian response that led to Aylan Kurdi’s drowning can begin to change.
You can read the entire article here.
And on Sept. 11, Kelberer spoke with WBUR’s On The Media to talk about the grassroots survey polling Boston residents on support for resettling Syrian migrants. You can listen to the entire interview here.
Kelberer is a candidate for an MA in International Affairs, as well as serving as an undergraduate student advisor at the Pardee School.