Overview
The Sustainable Innovation Forum (SIF) is the sister conference to COP 30 and is also focused on addressing the causes and effects of climate change worldwide. SIF focuses on technological solutions and promoting the development of sustainable technologies, as aligned with UN SDGs. Additionally, SIF tends to focus more on the business aspects of climate change, often incorporating private firms into plans for new sustainable technology and recommending subsidies and tax credits to help fund development efforts. Delegates in SIF will have to closely monitor not only the policy implications of sustainable technology but also the business and technological implications, and how to best incentivize its development.
Topic 1: Impact of AI on the Environment
The first topic of this committee is the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on the environment. AI is becoming more and more common in the business world, and servers are working overtime analyzing data and delivering prompts. This server usage requires massive amounts of water cooling and electricity to run on, both of which can have massive impacts on the environment, especially when used in the current unsustainable pace and manner that most operate under. AI data centers have been linked to droughts and are using disproportionate amounts of water, and many climate protesters are calling for boycotts of common generative AI language models such as ChatGPT. Delegates will explore policy and technological solutions to make AI less of a strain on the environment.
Topic 2: Countermeasures to Rising Sea Levels
The second topic of the committee is counteracting the effects of sea level rise. Currently, rising sea levels are putting communities at risk, especially poor and underprivileged communities, which are often affected at a disproportionate rate to their populations. Countermeasures such as levies and sea walls exist, but they are often expensive and vulnerable to failure, and can be inaccessible in many disadvantaged communities. Additionally, small island nations face the threat of being dislocated by rising sea levels, and require tailor-made solutions to help protect their homes. Delegates in this committee will focus on innovative ways to treat the immediate symptoms of rising sea levels in order to protect those most at risk.
The Dais
Allegra Hoddie - Chair
Allegra Hoddie (she/her) is a first-year student at Boston University's College of Arts & Sciences, intending to study Philosophy. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she is delighted to serve as the Chair for the Special Investigation Force (SIF) committee at BosMUN XXV.
Allegra has been involved in Model UN since her freshman year of high school. On campus, she is active in the BU Debate Society, the Daily Free Press, and the AI Safety Association. In her free time, she enjoys reading random Wikipedia pages, sampling new coffee flavors, and seeking out BU's green spaces. She highly recommends trying the rosemary fries at Clover while in Boston.
She emphasizes that BosMUN offers many gifts beyond committee collaboration, including social and academic opportunities, and encourages delegates to consider the Young Diplomat Award. Allegra looks forward to reading position papers and hearing engaging debate.
Contact: ahoddie@bu.edu
Misha Van Uden - Vice Chair
Misha Van Uden (she/her) is a sophomore at Boston University's College of General Studies, planning to major in International Relations. Hailing from northeast Pennsylvania and of half Dutch, half Guyanese descent, she is excited to serve as the Vice Chair in the Special Investigation Force (SIF) committee.
Though new to Model UN, Misha is familiar with competitive conferences, having served as President of her high school's DECA chapter and a leading member of Mini-THON. At BU, she is involved with BosMUN, Students for the UN, Mixed Student Union, and the Knitting/Crochet Club. She harbors a strong interest in working for the United Nations.
Outside of campus, Misha enjoys reading, watching movies, playing video games, traveling, crocheting, and skiing. She is currently learning French.
Misha looks forward to meeting all the delegates and having a great time in SIF.
Contact: mishav@bu.edu