The People's Climate March took place across 166 countries during the weekend of 20th and 21st September 2014 ahead of the UN Climate Summit in New York City on 23rd September. People took to the streets together in pursuit of a shared goal - energy for the world from 100% clean and renewable sources. This IS possible. And great things are happening now, but more needs to be done. Individuals can do so much on a practical level in their homes, places of work and education. That collective action will make a difference, but we need governments to set ambitious targets for renewable energy which require hard and fast work. We need our leaders to lead, to break out from existing in the control of fossil fuel corporations, not to be afraid of the politics of power. The People's Climate March was about forcing our leaders to see what the people want. That healthy ecology equals healthy economy. That destroying the planet for short term gain leaves our children and their children and their children disadvantaged as they clean up the mess of today. That it's unfair to subsidise massive fossil fuel corporations, let them pollute for free, and then use the people's tax money to repair the damage. THIS HAS TO STOP.
I volunteered for Avaaz in Melbourne and their hard work, global reach and determination is truly inspiring. It was also great to meet other volunteers and march alongside other organisations including Get Up, 350.org, and Greenpeace.
I bought three vest tops from my local Salvos store to upcycle into a dress to wear for the march, inspired by three shades of green and the Avaaz hearts.
Check out #peoplesclimate and #worthsaving on social media for thousands of pictures, film footage and information from the summit. A couple of things to watch below that have really inspired me recently...
The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne MP spoke yesterday at LSE about the new Green Deal. The talk was chaired by Eric Neumayer - Head of Department for Geography and the Environment at LSE.
Chris Huhne was speaking about the Green Economy and also the 3rd Industrial Revolution that will support an economy 'built to last'. The Green Deal will support 'jobs, investment, technology, a skilled workforce and further innovation' and an economy prone to fewer ups and downs with green energy providing the backbone of the revolution.
To nurture new industries through innovation in clean energy and to develop the UK's energy independence through low carbon goods and services. The Green Deal has set itself the target to support 1 million Green Jobs by 2015 by taking the lead in off shore wind and carbon capture technology with other renewable energy supplies and nuclear also having a role to play.
As we move ahead to a low carbon future, Chris was positive that 'the next generation's prosperity will come from green energy'.
Due to the 'chronic inefficiency' throughout homes in the UK, the Green Deal does not leave out our houses, aiming to 'futureproof' the homes in need of eco-improvements. With further green jobs created through the assessment, installation and construction of further green housing, along with boilers and insulation I really hope the Green Deal works as well as Mr Huhne suggested.
This is sure to improve our current rating of 25th (out of 27 countries in Europe) for our dependence on renewable energy sources. Shocking!
This weekend sees the first graduate exhibition of MA Fashion and the Environment students from the London College of Fashion as part of the Shift Festival organised by Cape Farewell.
The Southbank Centre will be the base for this weekend of a: "Stimulating, provocative and energising programme of climate-focused cultural events"
The Cape Farewell Residency at the Southbank centre is running from August 2007 - July 2010. Taken from the website:
“Nothing is more important than our planet, and we all responsible for its welfare: we are already beginning to experience the catastrophic effects of ignorance. But statistics and constant messages of doom are not necessarily the best way to face these challenges. I asked Cape Farewell to join us as Artists in Residence because of the important and unique work they are doing in bringing together the artistic and scientific communities in order to address issues around climate change, in highly imaginative and thought-provoking ways. Their residency is part of our vision for Southbank Centre to become a place for debate through artistic encounter.” Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre The MA Fashion and the Environment Exhibition will run in the foyer of Queen Elizabeth Hall from:
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 17.00 – 22.30 SATURDAY 30th Jan & SUNDAY 31st Jan 12.00 – 22.30
Included in the exhibition:
HIGHLIGHTS From Fashioning the Future 2009, the international student awards for sustainability in fashion
REMADE IN LEEDS - SAT 30 JAN 12.00 – 17.00 Participatory sewing workshop run by MA graduate Lizzie Harrison
LOCAL WISDOM - SAT 30 JAN & SUN 31 JAN 12.00 – 17.00 An opportunity for you to share the story of a favourite garment by Kate Fletcher
ALL EVENTS FREE OF CHARGE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
!!!see you there!!!
QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL FOYER SOUTHBANK CENTRE BELVEDERE ROAD LONDON SE1 8XX
Earth: Art of a Changing World at the Royal Academy.
I was intrigued to see this exhibition. With the emphasis on climate and the environment I was interested to see how engaging the issues explored would be.
Overall, I found there to be a varied and understandable approach to many of the complex elements that contribute to, are affected by, and are a result of the damaging way in which a large proportion of humans live.
Favourite concepts and themes included the issue of false security we rely on to assure ourselves the world will still turn, the sun will still shine.
An excerpt from the poem 'What If' by Lemn Sissay: Let me get it right. What if we got it wrong?
What if we weakened ourselves getting strong?
What if our wanting more was making less?
And what if all of this wasn’t progress?
What if the disappearing rivers of Eritrea,
the rising tides and encroaching fear
What if the tear inside the protective skin
of Earth was trying to tell us something?
Another concept explored in the exhibition by Ackroyd & Harvey captured the close relationship and fine balance between the strong and the weak, the basic and the luxury.
Taken from the Royal Academy Website: 'Polar Diamond' was created using a polar bear bone found by the artists during a trip to the Arctic with the Cape Farewell project. A complex scientific technique extracted carbon from the residue ash of the cremated bone, and this was then subjected to immense pressure and heat to produce a diamond. Using technology to accelerate a process that usually occurs naturally over millions of years, Polar Diamond questions our sense of value and loss, and asks what price is being paid for carbon
Towards the later stages of the diamond production however, the diamond cracked and crumbed due to (if I remember correctly) a polishing process. This furthermore questions and demonstrates the fragility of our materials and power of human control
My favourite element of the exhibition however, was Amazonian Field, 1992. Terracotta by Antony Gormley RA. I feel embarrassed that I am not familiar with this piece of work, but today was the first time I saw it.
Taken from the Royal Academy Website:
Amazonian Field puts us in the uncomfortable position of being confronted by numerous figures made from the earth itself, all looking towards us questioningly. In previous installations the work has taken on strong identities of place and Gormley was intrigued to discover what sort of reinterpretations might arise in the context of this exhibition: ‘From the beginning I was trying to make something as direct as possible with clay: the earth. I wanted to work with people and to make a work about our collective future and our responsibility for it. I wanted the art to look back at us, its makers (and later viewers), as if we were responsible – responsible for the world that it, and we, were in.’
For me, this intention was strongly felt. Pretending to be in a position of responsibility when facing this installation was a scary, emotional and unnerving experience.
What would I say to these people to encourage them to change their behaviour?
Even if whatever I said they would all return home and do, what would that advice be?
I feel a major issue that needs to be overcome on the road to a sustainable future is for everyone to take responsibility for all elements of carbon reductions, waste reduction, sustainable behaviours and attitudes. The feeling of 'I'm only one person what can I do' needs to be quickly eradicated for everyone to feel part of a collective change.
Everyone should stand in front of this installation and feel the need to be responsible, before remembering that we are all one of the little statues in it. We can all be in charge of the change, and we are all a link in the chain. The chain of change!
Artist as a reflection of the Designer?
Throughout time and the history of our world, the 'artist' has documented life, imagination, fantasy - artists document (sometimes without intent) the changes in our world and respond to emotive, historical, current, engaging cultural arguments and topics to inspire thinking and provoke emotion.
It is the 'designer' however, that works to realise the practical need for change. The ability to design products and systems based on concepts (perhaps often explored by the 'artist') to promote and encourage a change of behaviour or lifestyle. In the context of sustainability and the environment: to make the objects we use within daily life more appropriate for environmental concern and to enable us to include sustainable behaviour in our lives. How we do this through fashion however is varied and difficult.
'Worst snow fall Britain has seen for a generation' BBC News
Schools closed, Airports closed, Trains Cancelled, People stranded in cars.
I (fortunately thank goodness) do not have to make any 'life or death' emergency journeys, so until I can get back to London within 3 hours I am perfectly happy to be snowed in in North Yorkshire because it is BEAUTIFUL.
Photographs taken in various places whilst on my Christmas travels, mostly Holmfirth, Saddleworth, Whitworth and Knaresborough.
However, I feel questions surrounding climate change might lead to an air of doubt as people see the cold 'Frozen Britain' weather as a direct contradiction of 'Global Warming'.
I do love the snow, but I fear climate change sceptics may use it as an example, used as an excuse to contradict the frightening scenario and threat of climate change.
The UK's biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change happened today, 5th December through central London. Organised by the Stop Climate Change Coalition, thousands of people gathered together dressed in blue in the December cold to stand together to show support of climate change policies to be agreed on in Copenhagen next week.
ght arise in the context of this exhibition: ‘From the beginning I was trying to make something as direct as possible with clay: the earth. I wanted to work with people and to make a work about our collective future and our responsibility for it. I wanted the art to look back at us, its makers (and later viewers), as if we were responsible – responsible for the world that it, and we, were in.’
Artist as a reflection of the Designer?
The UK's biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change happened today, 5th December through central London. Organised by the Stop Climate Change Coalition, thousands of people gathered together dressed in blue in the December cold to stand together to show support of climate change policies to be agreed on in Copenhagen next week.
