Collaborating to shake up the system and say YES to change

The Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking organized a virtual Climate Action Conference & Laboratory from 1-3 November 2021 to discuss systemic approaches to respond to the climate crisis we face, in partnership with One Resilient Earth, The Centre for Alternative Technology’s Zero Carbon Britain, and the Network of Wellbeing.

The Climate Action Conference & Lab titled ‘Shake Up the System!’ featured leading environmental speakers at the forefront of systemic and cultural change, including Vandana Shiva, Juliet Davenport, Jojo Mehta, Bayo Akomolafe, Charles Eisenstein, Mike Berners-Lee, Deepa Iyer, Bel Jacobs, Daniel Christian Wahl and many more.

According to Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking’s Chief Officer, Alicia Carey:

“It’s about what we can say YES to, and what matters in climate change. Rather than concentrating on what we have to give up, we’d prefer to look at what we keep. Our community, our nature and our environment. And most importantly: our choice.”

This live discussion challenged the narrative of guilt and separation that pervades climate activism, and questioned mechanical one-size-fits-all solutions when taking climate action. The conference invited participants to take a spin on that narrative, and to come and discover what you want to say YES to.

In the course of the conference, which included presentations, questions and answers sessions, networking events and workshops, participants were invited to design their own 10-point plan to bring changes to their lives, their workplaces and their communities.

The Climate Action Conference & Lab targeted participants who want to say YES to change in their business and want to support others to do so too.

Laureline Simon, the head of One Resilient Earth gave a presentation on Tuesday 2 November from 11.00 to 12.15 CET on the topic of ‘Responsible Experimentation: Tools for Regenerative Resilience.’ The recording will be available soon.

Additional information on the outcomes of the Climate Action Conference & Lab, including some examples of 10 points plans, are available here.

For a short presentation of the fantastic Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking:

Banner photography credits: Garry Turner, Bayo Akomolafe, Bel Jacobs, Charles Eisenstein, Claudi Williams, Daniel Christian Wahl, Deepa Iyer, JoJo Mehta, Juliet Davenport, Vandana Shiva, Mary Reynolds, Zoe Sear, Mike Berners Lee, Laureline Simon, Alicia Carey