LCAG’s ‘Young Voices on Climate Change’ Seminar

From businesses putting profit before humanity, to fast fashion’s addiction to plastic, to the viability of rationing meat eating, nothing was off limits at the Young Voices on Climate Change seminar.

Monday 28^th February saw the 5^th Livery Climate Action Group Seminar, but with a difference: there were no experts to inform us, but, instead, a series of videos by passionate, well-informed and highly intelligent young people. All were Arkwright Scholars, many sponsored by Livery Companies.

Watch the seminar by clicking here

But a ‘Breaking News’ item was slotted in before the main business of the evening: A Message from Antarctica’ has been received. Jo Cole (28), now working for British Antarctic Survey, had tried to send her video but lack of bandwidth stopped transmission. However, not being a woman to take no for an answer, Jo sent her photo and a WhatsApp.

Jo pointed out that:

• “The effects of climate change are being felt even here in Antarctica, which has seen an almost 3 degree temperature increase in the last 60 years which is almost three times the global average.
• “A warming climate in Antarctica has impact on the retreat of glaciers and the collapse of ice shelves.
• “Antarctica restricts human impacts on the environment through the Antarctica treaty and its agreements and treaties like this I think we need more to protect our planet and move forward in a responsible way.
• “Effective changes can come from individuals, governments and industries”.
• Jo would love to see more of these collective initiatives, protocols and treaties between nations and industries in the future instigating real change.

Moving on, Dr Kevin Stenson, CEO of Arkwright and Smallpeice Trust, provided an overview of this scheme which strives to encourage young people to study STEM subjects – an integral part of our fight against Climate Change. Kevin name-checked Livery Companies Engineers, Fuellers ans Merchant Taylors amongst many more who already sponsor Arkwright scholars (Arkwright Engineering Scholarships) while Fuellers also sponsor Smallpeice to deliver Energy Themed STEM-Days in schools and on-line ‘Future Energy Conferences’ for Arkwright Scholars (Home | Smallpeice Trust).

The Arkwright scholars certainly challenged the audience’s thinking.

Ashwin is concerned about big business and its incessant drive toward profit at the expense of the quality of life of the next generation, and suggested there should be greater lobbying of Governments to put in place carbon taxes and legislation to ensure sustainable practices in building, for example

Ella pointed out that young people do not need to be educated about climate change – in general they are engaged and well informed, Instead she spoke compellingly about the need to provide a platform and enable young people to mobilise to take action.

Ujjay is concerned about car ownership and called on government to incentive use of public transport, but also, uniquely suggested employers and schools had a responsibility to influence and incentivise sustainable travel

Madeline provided some worrying facts about the contribution of fast fashion to polluting the planet and indicated a need for a complete change of mindset to replace our compulsion to buy the latest trends and to throw away items with only minor damage. She suggested a return to make do and mend extended to reuse and repurposing of clothes as something everyone can do.

Rohan sees our eating habits and agriculture’s practices as an area of focus and, while meat rationing may not be acceptable, considers that individual changes to meal planning can combine to make a significant difference.

These and more thought-provoking videos from Arkwright Scholars can be seen by clicking here.

The audience was clearly inspired with a raft of challenging questions dropped into the chat. Arkwright Scholar Max took the challenge of answering “do you think Public opinion is losing interest in climate issues? Maybe due to the impact on the cost of living and perceived cost of going green?” Breakout rooms were the opportunity for audience members to have their say – and they did! We could have spent far longer than the 10 minutes we had…..perhaps another time? Heather Barrett-Mold closed proceedings with great thanks to the Arkwright Trust and to Mellissa Maher from WCIT for handling the technology.

Professor Averil Macdonald OBE, Core Member of the LCAG