The International Universities Climate Alliance has launched #ClimateTalks Global Festival, an ambitious, accessible student engagement program that spans the globe. From 21 September – 1 October 2021, the festival will bring together experts from various disciplines and participants with diverse lived experience.
The festival offers two weeks of virtual events staggered across time zones, giving participants an opportunity to exchange knowledge, discuss vital work and guide real action to address climate change on a worldwide scale. New research will be shared and there will be lots of opportunities to ask questions in live discussions.
Students who register for the entire festival will receive a certificate of attendance that educators may use for credit in courses or assignments.
As part of the festival, there is also an opportunity to participate in the 2021 #ClimateTalks Global Hackathon. The Hackathon which has been designed by UNSW Sydney's Founders Program and UNSW School of Art & Design, will address 'Positive Communication for Climate Change'. Educators and student societies can register to run their own hackathon which will culminate with submission of a short video of their students' best ideas. Student organisations interested in networking and collaborating with the Climate Alliance are invited to join as Climate Alliance Ambassadors.
Hackathon participants will be asked to propose an idea for communicating climate change to a specific audience to encourage action. All entries must adhere to circular economy principles. A shortlist of students with the most innovative concepts will be invited to present their ideas in a dedicated virtual event coinciding with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
[Quote attributable to President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Jacobs]:
'Universities are a powerful source of knowledge on climate and the environment, gleaned from centuries of research. The Climate Alliance is helping to bring that knowledge together and the #ClimateTalks Global Festival gives people a chance to understand how we can work together to shape a better future.'
[Quote attributable to Professor Tim Van der Hagen, Delft University]:
'The #Climate Talks Global Festival offers a great opportunity for students and educators to engage with like-minded people worldwide and work together on making the world a safer, more sustainable and generally better place.'
[Quote attributable to Professor Matthew England, UNSW Sydney]:
'Scientists have long been sounding the alarm bells about the potential catastrophic impacts of climate change — without any meaningful action being taken — but I am optimistic that the pendulum is swinging towards a united, global will to act. We can still make a difference – but the time to act is now.'
[Quote attributable to Director of the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub, Associate Professor David Holmes]:
'One of our greatest challenges today is a perception gap: that while so many of us are concerned about climate change, we don't believe others are as concerned as we are. #ClimateTalks Global Festival will bridge this gap, by bringing together trusted researchers, students and global communities to share their knowledge, hopes and practical solutions on the eve of the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow.'
[Quote attributable to IBM]:
'IBM believes that the world's greatest challenges can be solved through the application of Technology and Innovation. That is why we are delighted to participate in the #ClimateTalks Global Festival as part of the "guest lecture" series, sharing our work and perspectives on climate change. In particular, how technologies such as AI, hybrid cloud and quantum computing can be leveraged to combat climate change challenges.'
[Quote attributable to Climate Councillor, Cheryl Durrant]:
'Climate change presents the greatest challenge of our times. Universities with their ability to generate and collaborate on new ideas and evidence, must be part of the solution.'
[Quote attributable to Dr Deborah Barros Leal Farias, UNSW Sydney]:
Politics is everywhere and in everything. The only way to address 'problems without passports' - such as climate issues - is to engage with politics and policy at all levels.'
[Quote attributable to Associate Professor Fengshi Wu, UNSW Sydney]:
In many ways, the frustration over climate actions result more from the social and political sides rather than research and science. Therefore, the increasing need and demand of social scientific understanding of the issues related to global governance and climate justice.
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