I’ve used up all the electricity-related words I know, so let’s talk business. The day was a mix of speakers, discussion groups, big actions and planning. As a volunteer helping out on the day I wasn’t expecting to get much out of it, but even when I was the legs for the roaming microphone I learned more than I did in probably all of high school.
The speakers covered all bases between them, from campaigning (Stop Climate Chaos) to public engagement (COIN) to the impact of climate change on Developing Countries (Elvis from Oxfam Malawi). But the guy who really knocked me off my feet was Kevin Anderson (Tyndall Centre). His talk about economic growth being incompatible with dangerous climate change really resonated with the audience, and he carried his no-nonsense, this-is-the-science sensibilities into the Q & A panel session.
His message was really powerful, and although slightly it terrified me, it was really inspiring. He hinted at some of the big changes our society would have to make soon, and highlighted the urgency and forcefulness we need in our campaigning in the run up to Copenhagen and beyond. By lunchtime my legs were shaking under the weight of the history that had been placed on the shoulders of me and my generation - but the prospect of shaping our future is pretty exciting.
Like a pillock I didn’t sign up to any of the lunchtime discussion groups, which apparently were well good. Gutted. I don’t know if I could have handled them anyway.
The afternoon was lighter, focussing on how to mobilise people, especially getting them down to The Wave march in London. Still, it wasn’t long before I started getting all freaky and thinking ‘this is BIG!!!’ The Wave could have a massive impact, and the more people the better, so discussing how to get more people down seemed like the thing to do. Some good ideas came out of it, and everyone (me included) left the conference feeling positive, empowered and, crucially, with some specific steps to take.
In conclusion, the day was a wave of knowledge, fun and inspiration that washed over me and left me soaking in a salty puddle of action, intention and hope. Watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdkvCC8HS2I
Tags: climate change, manchester, north west, The Wave
Twas a great conference - and I agree, Kevin Anderson was an amazing speaker, if a little scary. Can’t wait for the next one!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:52 amI got an awful lot out of the day even though it was very much my first step into ‘activism’. Energising speakers gave loads of information and sparked lot of ideas. Am looking forward to the Wave.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:21 pm