CMU-Q’s Chadi Aoun: “We have the means to stop global warming”
Qatar Investment Authority hosts seminar on climate change and sustainability
Doha, Qatar –Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s Chadi Aoun shared his expertise on the environmental underpinnings of climate change at a public lecture hosted by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Aoun, who is an associate teaching professor of information systems, spoke to business leaders and QIA members about the implications for effective governance with respect to climate change and sustainability.
In his introduction to the seminar, Dr. Tariq Al-Sabbagh, the general counsel of QIA, explained the efforts of the state of Qatar to protect the environment, as well as the role of QIA, as a sovereign wealth fund, in the recent initiative of “One Plant.”
Tariq Al-Sabbagh thanked Aoun for his insights: “We are delighted to have Dr. Aoun give this important talk. This seminar forms part of our efforts at QIA to educate our members and to create an awareness of environmental issues.”
During his talk, Aoun highlighted the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in galvanizing international governments to recognize and take action on climate change. He also spoke about emerging pollutant pricing mechanisms and the importance of the Paris Agreement, which was ratified in 2016 by the majority of the world’s nations, including Qatar. Aoun emphasised the implications of these initiatives on responsible investment, corporate governance, and smart city development.
“We know the climate is warming all across the globe that the oceans are warming up and that carbon dioxide emissions are rising off the charts. This is a global problem, but we also have the global means to solve it together,” said Aoun.
During a lively question and answer session, Aoun spoke about the measures people can take on an individual basis to help offset harmful environmental consequences of modern living.
“In workshops with my students at CMU-Q, I discuss how we can change our behaviours with regard to five things we do every day. These are: the food we eat, the clothing we wear, our housing, the transport we use, and the leisure activities we engage in. I let my students know that as individuals we can vote with our feet, and our riyals, in order to create a sustainable world.”
Read more about how CMU-Q students are learning about sustainability.
CMU-Q offers programs in biological sciences, business administration, computational biology, computer science, and information systems.