In the summer of 2023, Mohammed Rahman who leads the Rochdale Science Initiative asked me to create a new project with him about climate change. We discovered Brian Eno’s talk at the Grantham Institute of Imperial College London, in which he outlines the vital role that faith and the arts have to play in the fight against climate change. Our project was born. I began with extensive research and what I discovered was life changing. The future of humanity and much of the natural world is in great jeopardy and this terrible future is drawing closer much faster than we had hoped. There exists a great gulf between what needs to happen and the actions of governments and corporations.
This is the story of this project. It is also the story of a seedling, from which many things will grow. For all of us who have the privilege of autonomy in how we spend our lives and the ability to create impact, there is no other course.
Rochdale is a post industrial town, the home of the Cooperative movement, surrounded by green hills speckled with beautiful wind turbines.
Humanity has a choice.
Our World Our Collective Future
We are the first to see the effects of climate change and the last capable of addressing it.
On the last Thursday evening of every month from September to November 2023, 45 underserved young people of Rochdale meet at Neeli Mosque to understand the climate crisis, learn about the solutions, and explore the role we can play. I organised and led the sessions supported by scientists, artists, activists, and council representatives including from The Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, York University, Rochdale Council and the Manchester Climate Change Youth Network. Each session brings together the powerful combination of faith, science, art, and discussion.
Session 1 asks ‘What is happening to our planet and why?’. The Imam begins by speaking to our planetary responsibilities. We imagine the Earth’s atmosphere as the fine skin of an apple, learn about the unceasing and accelerating increase in greenhouse gas emissions into this fine layer and the ensuing planetary impacts such as fire and flood. Then we consider the main sources of the pollutants and explore the carbon footprint of different activities and foods. The vibrant late collages of artist Henri Matisse are used as inspiration for creating big colourful images that deliver the facts.
Session 2 ‘Solutions’ looks at potential solutions such as increasing efficiency, electrification, renewables and the strategies for food and land. The Imam launches the evening by bringing to life the contribution of Islamic scholars to modern science. After exploring technology, food and land use solutions, the graphic art of artist Alexander Calder inspires a poster making session where participants encourage viewers to think about green technologies, food strategies, and creating a future energy plan that adds up for Great Britain.
Session 3 explores ‘What we can do’. The Imam reminds us of our duty to act. We consider what has happened around the world since we last met – the floods, fires and pollution, and review UK progress against what we know needs to happen. Ideas are discussed relating to politics and activism, and we workshop how we might engage people around us on this topic. In a creative writing exercise we complete the sentences: “I don’t accept..”; “It would be so much better if..”, and “I will..” and share our thoughts with the group.
The initiative is funded and supported by Rochdale Science Initiative, The UK Science Festivals Network and UKRI. Discoveries and creations will be shared at the May 2024 Rochdale Science Initiative Festival anticipating 3,000 guests. The project was inspired by Brian Eno’s presentation to the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London emphasising the vital role art and culture can play. The aim is to share the workshop materials and methods widely with faith and non-faith groups alike creating a wave of awareness and action.
Tremendous gratitude to:
The inspirational and unmatchable driving force that is Rochdale Science Initiative.
Our hosts Neeli Mosque in Rochdale – Head of Education Samar Mushtaq, Imam Syed Asad Ali and Imam Yeamin Arafat.
Funders and supporters, UKRI and the British Science Festivals.
The amazing folks who joined us to lead discussions and activities: Dr Tim Gabriel of Manchester Metropolitan University; Mahamood Mubarak of Imperial College London; Professor Sarah Bridle of York University; Councillor Tricia Ayrton; Activist Hilma Janwar; Science writer and communicator Iqra Choudhray.
Our young volunteers whose deeply impressive commitment contributed so much: Labib Rahman, Maryam Haroon, Kamillah Choudhry, Haroun Khan, Rais Khalid, Rayaan Noor.
We also took inspiration and guidance from:
Brian Eno who gave us the first idea for this project.
Professor Joanna Haigh who has participated in and influenced our project.
The late great physicist Prof David MacKay of Cambridge University.
Prof Julian Allwood of Cambridge University whose videos and slides got us thinking.
Advisors: Associate Professor Sam Illingworth of Edinburgh Napier University; Belinda Morris and Molly Watson of York University; Prof Jem Woods and Victoria Hoare of Imperial College London; Prof Lynn Bianchi and team at Manchester University, Dr Bryony Latter at Cardiff University, Linsey Wynton at the Grantham Institute of Climate Change at Imperial College London.
The books we read. There were many, but these stood out: ‘There is no planet B’ by Mike Berners Lee; ‘Take a bite out of climate change’ by Sarah Bridle; ‘Sustainable energy without the hot air’ by David MacKay and Our House is on Fire: Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis by the Thunberg family.
Photographer Gideon Mendel and his unforgettable images “Flood and Fire” and Claire Ward-Thornton who partners with Gideon to create inspiring art projects for young people .
The scientist activists from universities around the UK and beyond who welcomed me into their community of people who will not stand by.
And last, but very far from least, the tremendous young workshop participants of Rochdale.