Sherman, Texas -- Austin College Climate Ambassadors are preparing to travel to Antalya, Turkey, on Saturday, November 7 to serve as official observers at the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP31. At the conference, they will engage with climate leaders, follow international negotiations, and explore solutions that address communities’ economic and social priorities.
Austin College Climate Ambassadors promote climate awareness, conversation, and action on campus and in the wider community. As official observers at United Nations climate conferences, they learn about international climate policy and connect with climate leaders and youth from around the world.
On campus, the Climate Ambassadors promote climate action by encouraging conversation and sharing practical ways to make progress. The group’s motto, “Action Inspires Hope,” reflects its belief that dialogue can help people find common ground across cultures and political perspectives.
“The Climate Ambassadors believe one of the best things you can do for the climate is talk about it,” said Karsyn Clouse ’27. “While climate change can be a taboo topic, we have realized that conversation about climate change leads to meaningful dialogue about our shared values and concerns, even across cultures and politics.”
The group plans to continue its outreach during the 2026–27 academic year by hosting a campus Sustainability Month, visiting local high schools, presenting to the North Texas Audubon Society, and collaborating with sustainability efforts in downtown Sherman.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 45 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
