Portsmouth is to hold its first ever Climate Festival to raise awareness of the implications of climate change for the city and the opportunities to make a positive difference.
Portsmouth Climate Festival runs from 22 October to 12 November and is timed to link with the UK hosting the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in November.
The climate emergency remains the biggest long-term challenge our city faces. We need to make tackling climate change a top priority.
The Festival has been established by the University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth Climate Action Board. It brings together organisations and communities across the city in a range of special events to explore issues related to the four main goals of COP26:
- Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
- Mobilise finance for climate action
- Work together to rise to the challenges of the climate crisis
One of the organisers Professor Steve Fletcher, Director of Revolution Plastics at the University of Portsmouth and Chair of the Portsmouth Climate Action Board said: “The climate emergency remains the biggest long-term challenge our city faces. We need to make tackling climate change a top priority.
“Here in Portsmouth we are already witnessing changes to our sea levels, extreme weather events, warmer summers, wetter winters and increasing air pollution – all signs that climate change is happening around us.
“The Portsmouth Climate Festival will give the people of Portsmouth a chance to find out more and encouragement to help make a difference.”
There will be a wide range of events, both in-person and online taking place for all ages throughout the Portsmouth Climate Festival. Highlights include:
Here in Portsmouth we are already witnessing changes to our sea levels, extreme weather events, warmer summers, wetter winters and increasing air pollution – all signs that climate change is happening around us.
There will be a wide range of events, both in-person and online taking place for all ages throughout the Portsmouth Climate Festival. Highlights include:
22 October 10.00am–12.00pm – Plastics, climate and the art of making change webinar
A free online webinar where participants can learn more about the inspiring work being done by the University in Nairobi to help eliminate plastic pollution. Contributors from all over the world will co-host this event.
23 October Open day at the University’s Institute of Marine Sciences
An opportunity for all the family to come and see the amazing marine research being done by the University locally and around the world. There will be demonstrations, experiments, activities and a chance to meet the team. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for the first ever plastic surveys in Portsmouth.
1 November – Climate Challenges in Portsmouth
Academics from Portsmouth and around the UK will present the climate challenges facing the city, drawing on experience from their own research. It’s a must-see event for anyone who wants to understand more about climate change affecting their everyday lives.
There are many more events being held during the three-week event, with more events added each day to the Portsmouth Climate Festival website.
You can also take part by holding an online or in-person event or activity, inspired by the need for urgent climate action in Portsmouth. Register your event on the festival website or email climatefestival@port.ac.uk