Voices for the Future

Together for a Fair Climate Future
Discussion 1: Voices for the Future

Tuesday 9 February 2021


Voices for the Future shared creative visions for a more sustainable future. It set out actions needed today and in the years ahead to realise those visions. And discussed how to ensure a diversity of views shape the UK’s response to the climate crisis and build a fairer society.

The ideas presented here are those of the panellists and video contributors - full credit must be attributed to them.

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Panellists and video contributors shared inspiring and creative visions for a more sustainable future. A future in which sustainability is a societal norm and where communities are resilient. A future built on relationships, where collaboration across disciplines and communities see sectors working together. A future that is eco- rather than ego-centric with economies dedicated to wellbeing.

 

"My vision is based on regenerative culture – a regenerative and resilient community and culture created to enable everyone in society" – Daze Aghaji

 

The event also asked what actions are needed today, and in the years ahead, to realise those visions? The speakers emphasised the urgency with which we need to act - climate change is happening now. We need action that: builds the needs of future generations into decision-making, treats climate change as much a social justice issue as an environmental one and holds polluting companies to account. We need an inclusive recovery from Covid, that’s built on foundations that are fair, green and resilient.

 

"We've got to … start to think of climate change and climate justice as more of a social justice issue and make those connections" – Zarina Ahmad 

 

The event discussed how to ensure a diversity of views shape the UK’s response to the climate crisis and build a fairer society. Speakers emphasised the importance of bursting 'climate bubbles' and taking proactive approaches to reaching out to communities; of valuing the knowledge and lived experiences of communities as well as technical experts, and of amplifying the voices of those who are often marginalised.

 

"It's about treating everyone completely equally, valuing that knowledge equally, and building a vision for the future together" – Ellie Shipman

 

Climate messaging needs to move beyond the technical to appeal to hearts as well as minds. Art, creativity, imagination, storytelling and acts of kindness can engage people emotionally and move climate action forward.

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Live event illustration: William Bock – Visual Scribe

Panellists

Daze Aghaji – Climate Justice Activist

Daze Aghaji – Climate Justice Activist

Daze is 20-year old student at Goldsmiths studying history and politics. She is a Climate Justice Activist, which means she considers climate change and social justice issues holistically. Her work covers politics, youth engagement, intersectionality, and youth climate change organising.

Zarina Ahmad – Climate Change & Environmental Educator

Zarina Ahmad – Climate Change & Environmental Educator

Zarina has been working in climate change for over ten years, working with diverse communities across Scotland. She focuses on climate literacy and translating climate policy into everyday language. She considers the relationship between climate change and racial justice. Zarina runs an ethnic minority environmental network to get more voices from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities involved in environmental issues.

Bridget McKenzie – Founder, Climate Museum UK

Bridget McKenzie – Founder, Climate Museum UK

Bridget helped co-found Culture Declares Emergency and set up Climate Museum UK, which is a mobile and digital museum that helps people engage with the Earth crisis. Her background is in arts and culture, learning, and young people.

Nikita Mistry – Head of Civil Society Engagement, COP 26 Unit, Cabinet Office

Nikita Mistry – Head of Civil Society Engagement, COP 26 Unit, Cabinet Office

Nikita leads the civil society team within the COP 26 Unit, which sits in the Cabinet Office. The COP 26 Unit brings together the government's policy and planning for the COP 26 summit. Nikita works with NGOs, interest groups, trade unions, faith groups, and young people (both in the UK and internationally) to ensure their voices are heard as we plan and prepare for COP 26.

Ellie Shipman – Participatory Artist and Illustrator

Ellie Shipman – Participatory Artist and Illustrator

Ellie is a participatory artist and illustrator interested in exploring urban change, sustainability, wellbeing, and what it means to be a woman. Ellie's background is in community development and she is interested in how to bring in an asset-based approach of talking to communities (what are the local skills and resources, and what do communities want) and linking that to climate change through participatory art.

Video Contributors

  • Dr Mya-Rose Craig – Founder & President, Black2Nature
  • Georgia Tucker – Artist
  • Jude Daniel Smith – Volunteer, Teach the Future
  • Sarah Brignall – Graduate Programme, National Grid
  • Banseka Kayembe – Founder and Director, Naked Politics
  • Laurie Smith – Senior Foresight Lead, Nesta
  • Charlotte Hanson – Lawyer, Client Earth
  • Shilpa Shah – Co-founder of the Akashi project

Project partner

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