NW Missouri Times

Dr. Nina Adanin, an assistant professor at Northwest Missouri State University, presented her research on climate resilience among Indigenous peoples living near glaciers and the role of mountain tourism at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France. The event took place in June and was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.

The conference brought together nearly 100,000 participants, including more than 60 government leaders. Its goal was to encourage action for the conservation and sustainable use of ocean, sea, and marine resources. Discussions focused on expanding marine protection, reducing pollution, regulating international waters, and increasing financial support for vulnerable coastal and island nations.

During the conference's opening session, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the need for collective action against climate change. Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, emphasized aligning science, finance, and international cooperation to protect ice-covered regions.

Adanin noted that attending the conference allowed her to gain valuable insights from global leaders. She plans to integrate these lessons into her courses at Northwest Missouri State University. “The conference made it clear that climate change is no longer a distant concern; it is already influencing how we plan, manage and deliver outdoor recreation and sport experiences,” Adanin said. “These shifts have direct implications for sport management professionals, who are increasingly expected to incorporate sustainability practices, risk mitigation and community engagement into event planning and facility operations.”

Adanin joined Northwest’s faculty in 2021. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in innovative learning design and technology as well as master’s degrees in educational research and evaluation and outdoor recreation and education from Ohio University. She also holds bachelor’s degrees in sports management and sports coaching.

She hopes that by sharing observations from UNOC3—including global leadership initiatives, Indigenous strategies for climate resilience, and environmentally conscious tourism—her students will better understand how environmental issues are changing responsibilities within sport management fields.