Reading Climate Festival 2021: University hosted events

This week (20-26 September) sees the return of Reading Climate Festival, a week-long programme of free events to inspire action on climate change, curated by Reading Climate Action Network.

Reading Climate Festival is aimed at helping residents, businesses, schools and community groups find out how to live more sustainably, make changes that will contribute towards the goal of a net zero, climate resilient town and gain a better understanding of how what we do locally makes a difference.

As part of the University's climate-focussed activity in the run up to COP26, and following on from our Climate Education Summit, we will be hosting multiple events throughout the Reading Climate Festival, demonstrating our breadth of knowledge and expertise in this subject, and engaging with local people on what changes they can make in their everyday lives.

Here is a run-down of what's going on this week:

Monday 20 September, 6-7pm: Introduction to the Science and Politics behind Climate Change

A serious but also light-hearted introduction to climate change, covering all aspects such as the physical science, impacts, adaptation and mitigation, and politics with Dr Charlie Williams (Visiting Professor).

Book your place here.

Tuesday 21 September, 4-5.30pm: How Cities Can Help Shrink the Carbon Footprint of Food

Dr Eugene Mohareb, School of the Built Environment, and Reading Friends of the Earth will be discussing how food consumption contributes to climate change, and what we can do to improve.

Book your place here.

Thursday 23 September, 12-3pm: Ask Me Anything with climate scientist Dr Ella Gilbert

Join Dr Ella Gilbert, a climate scientist in the University's Department of Meteorology, for this Reddit Ask Me Anything session. The aim is to start conversations about the importance of working together to reduce the impact of climate change on our planet.

Book your place here.

Thursday 23 September, 6-7pm: Not all doom and gloom: the good news from the cutting edge of climate science

Join climate Professors Richard Allan and Nicolas Bellouin, who helped write the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report - they will highlight the main findings, including some ‘reasons to be cheerful'. Professor Tim Dixon, School of the Built Environment, will also focus on how local people and councils in Berkshire have begun to make the practical changes needed to make climate action a reality.

Book your place here.

Friday 24 September, 6.30-7.30pm: Should your next car be electric, and will it melt the grid?

Dr Phil Coker, School of the Built Environment, will discuss the challenges and benefits of electrifying transport.

Book your place here.

The University will also be using a series of LinkedIn posts to highlight what we're doing at Reading as part of our commitment to sustainability. Look out for them throughout the week!