Scotland's Climate Festival National Event Series
Join in our national series of inspiring and informative online climate events, free and open to all.
How to Join
Online events are held via Zoom. Please register on EventBrite and you will receive an email on the day of the event with the link to join. Live subtitles will be available.
The events are also livestreamed on Eventbrite and YouTube (no registration required), and available to watch afterwards on our YouTube Channel.
Other events are in venues as listed.
Upcoming Events
To be announced.
Past Events
The Ants & the Grasshopper Film Screening & Discussion with Raj Patel
Monday, 14 March 2022 | 7.00pm – 9.00pm (doors open 6:30pm) | Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA | free event
Keep Scotland Beautiful is delighted to share our first in-person national Climate Festival event in collaboration with Glasgow Science Centre. A screening of new documentary The Ants and the Grasshopper, followed by a discussion and Q&A with filmmaker/author Raj Patel.
The film charts the story of two women from Malawi, Anita Chitaya (the narrator) and Esther Lupafya, two community activists, who travel to America to talk to farmers and community leaders about climate change. Over the course of their journey, they share their experiences of climate change and how it is impacting their lives and community with the people they meet.
The Ants and the Grasshopper is a film by Raj Patel, the author of Stuffed and Starved, and Zak Piper, an Emmy-award winning producer. The screening will be followed by a virtual discussion and Q&A.
Speaker
Raj Patel (co-director/producer) is a James Beard Award winning activist and New York Times bestselling writer. He has testified about food and hunger to the US, UK and EU governments, and his book on the food system, Stuffed and Starved, has been translated into a dozen languages. He worked for the World Bank and WTO and was tear-gassed on four continents protesting against them. His academic career spans Oxford, the London School of Economics, Cornell University, the University of California at Berkeley where he taught with Michael Pollan. He is currently a research professor at Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin.
https://www.antsandgrasshopper.org/
Doors open at 6:30pm for networking and light refreshments before the screening at 7:00pm. We ask that attendees bring and wear a face covering at all times apart from when eating and drinking.
Watch the event recording:
Storytelling for Change
Tuesday, 8 March | 7:00 - 8:30pm | online | free event
Join Keep Scotland Beautiful for a magical and thought-provoking evening of storytelling.
In March, the Climate Festival is celebrating Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 and taking inspiration from the theme ‘Inspired by Nature’.
On International Women's Day, join storytellers Alycia Pirmohamed and Mara Menzies for readings of their work reflecting on the climate emergency and our shared histories, with time for discussion and a Q&A. The conversation will be moderated by Dr Bashabi Fraser, CBE.
Speakers
Alycia Pirmohamed is a Canadian-born prize-winning poet living and working in the UK, and currently a postdoctoral creative writing fellow at the University of Liverpool. She has published three books of both poetry and creative non-fiction reflecting on spirituality, ecology and ancestral history and was winner of the 2020 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award. alycia-pirmohamed.com
Mara Menzies is a Scottish-Kenyan award-winning storyteller, who has performed in 27 countries. Her latest work, ‘Blood and Gold’ explores the legacy of colonialism and slavery through myth, legend, and fantasy. She was recently commissioned to write a piece responding to the climate emergency as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations. marathestoryteller.com
Watch the event recording:
The Wellbeing Economy: creating thriving communities in a changing climate
Wednesday, 16 February | 7:00 - 8:30pm | online | free event
Join us for conversation with brilliant people who are leading the transition to a wellbeing economy that builds sustainability and climate resilience in our communities.
As we “build back better” from the Covid-19 pandemic, we have an opportunity to build an economy that is inclusive and supports all our communities towards a more sustainable, prosperous, and resilient future.
Scotland is leading the way as a founding member of the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) group, an initiative where member countries - including Scotland, Iceland, New Zealand, Wales and Finland - are working together to deliver a wellbeing economy for citizens and the environment.
Hear from leading experts in Scotland and around the world on the pursuit of enhanced wellbeing for current and future generations.
Speakers
- Dr. Lukas Hardt, Policy and Engagement Lead, WEAll Scotland
- Dr. Suzy Morrissey, Research Associate, Public Policy Institute, University of Auckland; co-founder, WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand Hub
- Lewis Ryder-Jones, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Scotland's International Development Alliance; Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy, and Biodiversity, Scottish Government
Watch the event recording:
Film Screening & Discussion: Scotland: Our Climate Journey
Monday, 24 January | 7:00pm – 8:30pm | online | free event
An online screening of the recent documentary charting Scotland's inspiring progress in the fight against climate change, Scotland: Our Climate Journey. The film follows Scotland’s climate action to date, narrated by individuals from across the country who are on the environmental frontlines, be they leaders of industry, activists, or community organisers. The screening (60 mins) will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and characters from the film.
Speakers
- Ted Simpson, director, Scotland: Our Climate Journey
- Finbar O’Sullivan, producer, Scotland: Our Climate Journey
- Fraser Stewart, Energy and Climate Policy Researcher, University of Strathclyde
- Roisin Hyde, Queen's University Belfast
- Mike Robinson, Chief Executive,
Watch the event recording:
Food: Women on the Frontline
Wednesday, 12 January | 7:00pm – 8:30pm | online | free event
Women around the world are being recognised for their essential contribution to a sustainable food system as smallholder farmers, and their work supporting their communities experiencing the worst of climate change. Join us on 12 January to hear from leaders across Scotland and around the world about the role of women in creating sustainable food systems, addressing the climate and biodiversity crises through agriculture and building a sustainable farming movement.
Speakers
- Nikki Yoxall, Farmer & Educator
- Barbara Banda, CEO, Natural Agriculture Development Program Zambia
Watch the event recording:
After COP26, What Next? Scotland’s Climate Future
Tuesday, 7 December | 7:00-8:30pm | online | free event
Join us online for the launch of the new national event series for Scotland’s Climate Festival! The series kicks-off with a crucial conversation on the outcomes and opportunities following COP26 and what is next for Scotland. The speakers will explore many different perspectives on climate action and the push to Net Zero.
Speakers
- Zarina Ahmad, climate communicator and trainer
- Kaisie Rayner, Climate Lead, Royal London
- Dr. Matt Winning, comedian and environmental economist
- Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work
Read more about what the speakers had to say at the event.
Watch the event recording:
