Faiz Farooqui

Faiz Farooqui is a rising senior from Middletown, Connecticut, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with an academic concentration in Computational Data Analytics. On campus, Faiz serves as a Resident Assistant, fostering a healthy living environment for students. He is the secretary of the Ilm Society, a club dedicated to educating the community about Islam through hosting speakers and events. Additionally, he is involved in Huskies for Refugees, an organization that has raised funds for climate refugees worldwide. In his spare time, Faiz enjoys playing soccer, lifting weights, cooking, reading, and playing chess. 

Faiz’s journey with sustainability began early, growing up in a family mindful of waste and excess consumption. As his interest in sustainability grew, he participated in various educational initiatives in Connecticut through which he met the governor in fifth grade. He continued his passion for climate education as a political fellow in high school, teaching students in New Haven about the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities. Through his time as a coordinator for a state senate campaign and legislative intern, he joined the New Haven Green New Deal Coalition, which broadened his perspective on potential solutions to this existential problem. Faiz is incredibly excited to attend COP29 in Azerbaijan, eager to learn more about recent efforts in sustainability. He is interested in observing how United Nations conferences are conducted, given his involvement and achievements in the Model UN space. He also hopes to learn how machine learning is being leveraged in the climate industry.