Climate Communications Hub
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The Climate Communications Hub is a supportive and enjoyable meeting place for people exploring climate communications projects whether small or large. We are a working group of the Carbon Neutral University Network and operate in association with Sheffield Climate Alliance: https://www.sheffieldclimatealliance.net/
Meetings
We meet monthly, usually on the third Thursday, at the University of Sheffield, from 19.30 - 21.30. Meetings are of two types: (1) less formal gatherings where we get to know each other, share what’s happening in our various projects and develop our skills in holding ‘climate conversations’; (2) more formal meetings where we invite speakers to give lectures or workshops on different aspects of climate communications.
All our meetings are open to newcomers. You’re welcome to drop in just for one meeting or to come regularly – whatever is most supportive for you. For meetings with speakers you’ll need to book a place through EventBrite. Attendance is free, but we ask for voluntary donations when we have outside speakers to whom we have to pay expenses.
Speakers / workshop facilitators
We are keen to get out to different parts of Sheffield and talk to/with community groups, schools, faith organisations and businesses. We don’t pretend to know all the answers (does anybody?) but we get people talking about what they can do about climate change and we give them tips for talking with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. We can also run short courses for community groups, based on the Carbon Conversations model: http://www.carbonconversations.co.uk/
Contacting us
If you would like to join our mailing list to be kept up to date about our meetings, would like to book for an event, or if you would like someone to come and speak to your organisation or group, please email Nick at: nuttgensclimate@outlook.com.
Dates for Autumn 2019:
August 22 (this is the 4th Thursday): trying out board games to get people talking about climate change.
September 19: Michelle Marks on ‘How to talk to people in the business world about climate change and sustainability’.
October 17: Rachel Dunk, Manchester Metropolitan University, on ‘Carbon Literacy’ plus a panel of representatives from Sheffiel's city council and universities. The link to register (for free) through EventBrite is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-can-we-spread-carbon-literacy-in-sheffields-universities-and-beyond-tickets-72962818755?ref=estw
November 21: topic to be confirmed.
December 19: climate games and seasonal celebration.
Background to The Climate Communications Hub
This project was inspired by a visit from George Marshall of Climate Outreach in November 2017. He challenged us to “break the silence and start the wider conversation”. Since then, the sterling work of Sir David Attenborough, School Strike and Extinction Rebellion has done a great deal to break the public silence about climate change. But now many people are asking what they can do, what is most effective, etc. So the job isn’t finished yet!
Objectives of the Climate Communications Hub
Principles of the Climate Communications Hub
Structure of the Climate Communications Hub
The hub is convened by a steering group, currently comprising Kathy Aston, Lauren Jones and Nick Nuttgens. Steering group meetings are open to anyone who wants to take on an organising role and who shares our interests and principles.
Meetings
We meet monthly, usually on the third Thursday, at the University of Sheffield, from 19.30 - 21.30. Meetings are of two types: (1) less formal gatherings where we get to know each other, share what’s happening in our various projects and develop our skills in holding ‘climate conversations’; (2) more formal meetings where we invite speakers to give lectures or workshops on different aspects of climate communications.
All our meetings are open to newcomers. You’re welcome to drop in just for one meeting or to come regularly – whatever is most supportive for you. For meetings with speakers you’ll need to book a place through EventBrite. Attendance is free, but we ask for voluntary donations when we have outside speakers to whom we have to pay expenses.
Speakers / workshop facilitators
We are keen to get out to different parts of Sheffield and talk to/with community groups, schools, faith organisations and businesses. We don’t pretend to know all the answers (does anybody?) but we get people talking about what they can do about climate change and we give them tips for talking with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. We can also run short courses for community groups, based on the Carbon Conversations model: http://www.carbonconversations.co.uk/
Contacting us
If you would like to join our mailing list to be kept up to date about our meetings, would like to book for an event, or if you would like someone to come and speak to your organisation or group, please email Nick at: nuttgensclimate@outlook.com.
Dates for Autumn 2019:
August 22 (this is the 4th Thursday): trying out board games to get people talking about climate change.
September 19: Michelle Marks on ‘How to talk to people in the business world about climate change and sustainability’.
October 17: Rachel Dunk, Manchester Metropolitan University, on ‘Carbon Literacy’ plus a panel of representatives from Sheffiel's city council and universities. The link to register (for free) through EventBrite is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-can-we-spread-carbon-literacy-in-sheffields-universities-and-beyond-tickets-72962818755?ref=estw
November 21: topic to be confirmed.
December 19: climate games and seasonal celebration.
Background to The Climate Communications Hub
This project was inspired by a visit from George Marshall of Climate Outreach in November 2017. He challenged us to “break the silence and start the wider conversation”. Since then, the sterling work of Sir David Attenborough, School Strike and Extinction Rebellion has done a great deal to break the public silence about climate change. But now many people are asking what they can do, what is most effective, etc. So the job isn’t finished yet!
Objectives of the Climate Communications Hub
- Find ways to get people talking about the climate crisis and how to resolve it.
- Be a hub for people to share ideas, experiment with them and get supportive feedback.
- Develop our ability to think critically, creatively and collaboratively with people of all backgrounds, beliefs and persuasions.
Principles of the Climate Communications Hub
- The hub has no political or faith position.
- Groups self organise but come together at the ‘hub’ to share learning & discuss challenges.
- People do only what they find interesting or pleasurable.
- People commit only to what they want to.
- Hub meetings are split between small group time and whole group time.
- An enquiry approach. No formal minutes of meetings but instead a cumulative record of what we have learned and what we still wish to explore.
- People do nothing to tarnish the reputation of the University of Sheffield.
Structure of the Climate Communications Hub
The hub is convened by a steering group, currently comprising Kathy Aston, Lauren Jones and Nick Nuttgens. Steering group meetings are open to anyone who wants to take on an organising role and who shares our interests and principles.