It is widely understood that the effects of climate change are distributed unequally with poorer people being less able to protect themselves from impacts and more likely to live in area that will be worse effected. This inequality is heightened by the fact that poorer people produce less carbon emissions than richer people and are less well represented in the climate change debate.

To address climate change in a just way we need to ensure that poorer and lower class people are able to participate fully in the process of responding to it. Artists and cultural organisations can play an important role in this process by offering spaces for discussion, platforming perspectives, and working closely with communities. Nevertheless, the cultural sector has its own problems with access and participation for lower class people that need to also be addressed for this role to be carried out effectively.

This Green Tease event will offer a starting point for discussions and action on this topic, with talks from speakers Francis Stuart (Scottish Trades Union Congress) and Katharine Wheeler (The Stove Network), followed by discussion time and space to explore some creative work that engages with the issues raised above.

Technical Information

The event will be held via Zoom. Please register and you will receive an email on the day of the event with a link to join the online call via your internet browser or the Zoom app. To participate you need an internet connection and a device (a desktop, laptop, or tablet are preferable). If you have any problems, please get in touch with lewis.coenen-rowe@creativecarbonscotland.com.

We want to remove barriers to participation in these events and are happy to make adjustments to prevent people being excluded. If you have any accessibility requirements, please state these when signing up or get in touch by email if you would like to provide more information or ask any questions. Please see our Safe Working Spaces Statement for more information.

About the Speakers

Francis Stuart is a Policy Officer with the Scottish Trades Union Congress where he leads work on climate and energy as well as chairing the creative industry unions group of unions. He previously worked for Oxfam Scotland, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Katharine Wheeler is a visual and community artist focused on socially engaged, participatory developed work and the role that creative activity can have in community-led development as part of growing our places. Katharine is lives in rural Dumfries and Galloway, Southwest Scotland, and is part of the artistic collective of The Stove Network. The Stove Network is a successful social enterprise, and the first artist-led Development Trust in Scotland, using arts practice to facilitate community-led development, projects and decision-making grown from a foundation in community engagement.

This event is taking place as part of Creative Carbon Scotland's Green Tease events series within our culture/SHIFT programme.

Alternative text for image: Factory chimneys with smoke against a blue sky