Climate Emergency Network: Changing the way we work together

The Climate Emergency Network is non-hierarchical, distributed, and continuously evolving. It's a platform for channeling creativity into climate action across our Colleges, research centres, and institutes. Our community includes undergraduate students, professors, support staff, alumni, and friends.

Our purpose is to foster an internal movement for change, providing opportunities for everyone to engage in climate action. We host monthly Climate Cafés, seasonal Climate Circles, and develop responsive campaigns, actions, and activities to showcase that the arts can, and must, respond to the climate and ecological emergency.

Contact us: climatenetwork@arts.ac.uk.

What we've done so far

Curation and production

We’ve curated:

• an exhibition programme exploring climate justice - hosted in the Lethaby Gallery, The Green House featured over 60 artists exhibiting socially just responses to the impacts of climate change
• pilot projects like a pop-up SWAP SHOP at Central Saint Martins (CSM)
• a series of gatherings, workshops, conversations and interventions to embed our Climate Action Plan in the practices of the UAL community
• UAL Food Regenesis, a collaboration with UAL Canteen’s for a regenerative, plant-based menu
• UAL-wide event programmes that were co-created with 200 students and staff during key moments, including an alternative summit to COP26 titled Carnival of Crisis
• an outdoor exhibition of graduate work for London Design Festival called Material Heroes
• collections of student work as part of our Graduate Showcase
• seasonal climate circles, like the one at the Story Garden.

We've produced:

• the Climate Emergency Interactive - a dynamic teaching tool to prompt collective conversations about the climate emergency and what we can do about it, politically and creatively
• a draped display of three 60 foot banners by Studio Orta (Fabulae Naturae) which adorned the Granary Building, highlighting species loss in the UK
• an eco-inspired journey across the Barbican centre to explore the role of creativity in climate action, called Earth Quest
• a series of collective experiences in the name of social and ecological justice for Earth Day
• a social impact evaluation of Earth Day: Appetite for Justice (PDF 4.9MB) with Doc Society
• market stall takeovers at Kings Cross' Canopy Market, presenting a host of designers and artists who support socially-minded, environmentally driven design.

Collaboration

We've developed partnerships and collaborations with organisations across arts and culture, civil society, higher education, and scientific research sectors. This includes:

• Glasgow School of Art
• Culture Declares Emergency
• The Barbican Centre
• V&A Dundee
• Architects Climate Action Network
• King’s Cross Canopy Market
• Citizens UK
• Extinction Rebellion
• FranklinTill
• and more.

We've also taken part in nationwide climate campaigns such as COP, Earth Day and have promoted and celebrated annual environmental campaigns. Other campaigns include embedding climate justice into our research and Knowledge Exchange and continuously working in conjunction with our Climate Advocates. Want to collaborate? Get in touch

Events

We’ve brought UAL students and researchers together with scientists, activists, community organisers, artists, poets, illustrators, journalists and more. We support pilot projects and initiatives through a 'living lab' model that create real-world learning and research opportunities for students and staff, while bringing environmental impact to our wider community.

You can follow us on Eventbrite to keep up to date with our latest events. We host events at key points in the University’s calendar. For example, the Big Welcome, when we welcome students at the beginning of the academic year. The Big Welcome tells students about the ways in which sustainability is central to everything we do. This covers our green buildings, energy use, and encouragement to join our Climate Emergency Network.

We also induct students online with an e-induction (PDF 1.75MB). They’re orientated when they check in and receive a variety of additional sources to learn about sustainability at UAL.

We also host Climate Circles to mark the changing in seasons and align our collective vision with nature’s own rhythms. Each seasonal event or gathering is facilitated by a different member of our community. These artist-led meetings offer a touch point for sharing news, meeting like minded creatives, planning activity and supporting each other.

What we'll do next

We'll:

• build an internal movement for change with students and staff and create opportunities for everyone to contribute to climate action at UAL
• co-produce knowledge across disciplines, sectors and communities
• work with education, government, industry, and cultural and civil society partners.