How can the arts and artists work with environmental and civil society campaigners to address the multiple dimensions of the climate crisis, particularly in light of the covid-19 pandemic and COP26 postponement?
Creative Carbon Scotland, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, the culture working group of the COP26 Civil Society Coalition, and ecoartscotland are continuing to support networking and planning for COP26 and will be holding a discussion by video conferencing on 29 April (18.00-20.00 GMT). The meeting is open to artists, arts organisations, campaigners, environmental NGOs, and anyone who has been developing plans for COP26.
Covid-19 is affecting all of our communities – whether in the arts or in wider society – as well as planning for COP26. Acknowledging the current situation, while also recognising all the pre-existing work to bring together a broad and diverse climate movement to prepare for COP26, we are shifting the focus of this planned event. We realise that many of our colleagues will be badly affected by the current situation and so will make this a space for sharing and connection, as well as a place to think about the collaboration and creativity that will be needed, as we emerge from Covid-19 to plan for and respond to COP26 in 2021.
The arts have a specific role in addressing meaning, value and subjectivity – “What does this mean to us as individuals and communities?” “What do we value and how can we imagine acting?” – that is especially relevant to the climate crisis and the current context with Covid-19. We want to make sure that we can all sustain this role across the months ahead by continuing to work together.
The aims of the meeting are to:
promote new partnerships between arts, activism, and climate crisis policy and practice.
discuss tactics which are inclusive and engage people where they are, understanding how our methods will have to change in light of the coronavirus pandemic
provide updates on developing plans in light of the COP26 postponement as well as information and useful resources.
We understand that the current situation is difficult and unpredictable for many, so this event will be informal in character and we will ensure to share as much of the content of the meeting as possible afterwards with anyone unable to attend at the time. This discussion will also provide a chance to keep in touch with other members of the community during isolation.
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