On September 20th 2019, people across the world have been asked to take action to demand strong and urgent action on climate change. This call is building upon the work of the UK Student Climate Network movement, in the UK and through the actions of Greta Thunberg and others involved in Fridays for Future.
DMU is committed to strong action on climate change as part of our commitment to the the UN Sustainable Development Goals and working with other organisations in Leicester, we are offering a menu of activities aimed to inspire action on climate change and to support people to get involved.
The events are open to DMU staff, students and members of the public.
Sign up!
To help us know how many people to expect, please sign up in advance to indicate your session preferences here:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/87NG3H3
Event Schedule
Here’s the current plan for the day: this may be amended slightly over the coming week. Offers of extra activities are very welcome – just get in touch with Andrew Reeves on areeves@dmu.ac.uk
8am to 10am: Bikers Breakfast and Climate Conversations, DMU Food Village
All welcome for climate conversations and informal networking over breakfast in the Food Village, using prompts from the Climate Conversations project. Free breakfast for DMU staff that cycle in to the campus (and can provide evidence, such as their cycle helmet).
9am to 9.50am: Climate Emergency and DMU, Queens 0.07
Led by DMU’s Andrew Reeves and Karl Letten, a chance to learn about DMU’s impact on climate change and how staff, students and our community can get involved in responding to the challenge.
10am to 11.40am: Drop-in lobbying and banner-making, Queens 0.11.
Led by Leicester Friends of the Earth, a chance to either… hear how lobbying can make a difference, to share current campaigns and to do your bit by signing-up (on paper or online) to campaigns; or to discuss effective communication and the climate message you’d like to convey and to make a climate change placard (materials provided!) for the lunchtime rally.
10am to 10.50am: Living a Sustainable Lifestyle, Queens 0.07
A chance to share and discuss the challenges around making sustainable lifestyle choices. Everyone will have the chance to pick up tips and create their own action plan for the future. Repeated at 2pm.
Led by DMU’s Gemma Andrews, member of Woodhouse Eaves Plastic Free group. Gemma decided as a new year’s resolution in 2018 to make small changes to her lifestyle in line with a low-carbon and sustainable lifestyle. Documenting the changes on her Instagram feed of A_life_with_less_plastic, she has found that small changes CAN make a difference especially when you encourage others to do the same.
11am to 11.40am: Introduction to Extinction Rebellion, Queens 0.07
Led by Leicester Extinction Rebellion (XR). Why is climate change now an emergency? What should we do about it? Members of Leicester XR introduce what they’re doing and how you can get involved – talk and interactive workshop.
11am to 11.40am: Practical Energy Efficiency, Queens 0.13
Led by DMU’s Neil Brown, how to save 10-15% of energy at zero cost, open session on energy saving advice at work and in the home, and a practical switch off campaign in the Queens Building.
11am to 1pm: Being a Sustainable Student, Hugh Aston Atrium
DMU’s sustainability team will have a stall and activities on how to make sustainable choices as a student. Part of international students welcome week.
12pm to 2pm: Leicester Climate March and Talks, City Centre
Meet with others from DMU to walk over at 11.45am by the Magazine Gateway outside Hugh Aston, or at the clock tower on Gallowtree Gate at 12pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/347537962589758
1pm to 2pm: DO mention the climate – networking lunch, DMU Food Village
Meet in the DMU Food Village (on the reserved seating) to eat lunch with others where climate change and what to do about it is on the menu for conversation (buy or bring your own food!). Prompts from the Climate Conversations project will be on hand.
2pm to 2.50pm: Drop-in lobbying for climate action, Queens 0.11
Led by Leicester Friends of the Earth, a chance to hear how lobbying government and businesses can make a difference, to share current campaigns and to do your bit by signing-up (on paper or online) to current climate change campaigns.
2pm to 2.50pm: The Food Game – understanding your food footprint, Queens 0.13
Led by Zina Zelter from the Footpaths project, a local initiative which successfully uses peer-learning groups to help participants understand and significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
3pm to 4pm: Living a Sustainable Lifestyle, Queens 0.13
A chance to share and discuss the challenges around making sustainable lifestyle choices. Everyone will have the chance to pick up tips and create their own action plan for the future.
Repeated from 10am, though likely to have different tips depending on who comes. 🙂
3pm to 4pm: Stepping up – taking your first or next steps in action on climate change, Queens 0.11
Led by DMU’s Andrew Reeves, module leader for ‘Leading Change for Sustainability’, this session provides participants with a chance to hear about accessible first steps to get involved in action on climate change or sustainability, whether personally, through community projects, campaigns, social enterprise or at work. Participants will have a chance to reflect on their potential roles and achievable next steps.
4pm to 4.30pm: Plenary of Plans and Pledges, Queens 0.11
A chance for anyone who has attended any of the day’s events to share with others what they plan to do next and to highlight upcoming events and projects in Leicester and further afield.
And there’s more!
Leicester University and Leicester City Council are also organising climate change events on the 20th. Click here to view the events taking place at Leicester University.
Contact Info
Contact Andrew Reeves on areeves@dmu.ac.uk for further details about the events.
This collaboration is being developed through the DMU’s role in co-ordinating the RCE East Midlands, a centre of expertise in Education for Sustainable Development, part of a network of RCEs worldwide.
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