In a first, Bradford Cathedral held an arts and culture climate symposium, which explored the role arts, culture and heritage plays in climate change, environmentalism and sustainability.
Performances from Sufi musician Sarah Yaseen explored faith and climate through music, plus BBC 1xtra future figure 2022 Adjei Sun and writer and former Young Poet laureate Selina Nwulu shared poetry on social and environmental justice.
Speakers included Pakistan’s humanitarian ‘architect for the poor’, Yasmeen Lari and Naho Mirumachi from Kings Water Hub who shared global perspectives on the water crisis.
An interactive Climate Yoga session was led by Kin Things, showing the benefits of mindfulness and collective-care; while lunch was provided by Bradford’s Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara community kitchen, who served a platter of traditional Sikh cuisine.
Ling Tan from Low Carbon Chinatown, shared knowledge about our future footprints, alongside environmental and sustainability manager, Feimatta Conteh from Factory International.
The symposium welcomed a packed crowd and offered the chance for attendees to engage in discussions, panels and performances led by local, national and international artists as well as speakers from across the creative industries.
The event provided ways in which the arts and culture sector can implement change in their practices and align themselves more closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Climate-related case studies were discussed by organisations from across the UK, including Kew Gardens, Arts Catalyst and Invisible Dust. In addition to Seetal Solanki from Ma-tt-er who explored climate literacy.
Bradford Cathedral, Eco-Sikh UK and Sarah Yaseen held a panel discussing ‘Intersections with Faith’, that touched on ways different religions can unite to combat climate issues.
Parvinder Marwaha, Curator of the Bradford Arts and Culture Climate Symposium 2023, said: “It was such a privilege to be a part of such a fantastic day and a huge thank you to our speakers who brought a wealth of knowledge, openness and symbolism to the day.
“We hope the connections and networks created at the symposium will support a stronger arts, culture and heritage response to the climate crisis.
“These moments of convening, learning and sharing will lead to a better climate future – one which is more equal, holistic and representative.”
For further information on ways Bradford is committed to the climate emergency, please see: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-emergency-and-green-economy/
