Universities have a pivotal role to play in addressing the climate crisis, not only educating an increasingly large proportion of the global population, but also through scientific breakthroughs, technological innovation and raising public awareness. Higher education is particularly important given the roots of ecological and social breakdown in our models of civilisation, culture and knowledge. Yet its potential has not always been realised, and universities have historically been implicated in the exploitation and destruction of the natural environment and human communities. A transformation is thus needed in higher education, with institutions reorienting their activities towards positive engagement with climate.
This seminar debates these crucial issues in the international context. First, there will be a short presentation by Tristan McCowan of the recently published book Universities and Climate Action (UCL Press), which presents a new framework for understanding the transformations outlined above. There will then be critical engagements from four respondents: Olga Mun (University of Oxford), Laila Kadiwal (UCL), Kris de Meyer (UCL) and Nicola Walshe (UCL). The discussion will then be opened out to the participants, and the event will end with a drinks reception.
This event will be particularly useful for researchers, academics and students.