Part of Depot’s Climate Action! Festival

Throughout COP26, affiliate groups of Lewes Climate Hub will be curating free daily exhibitions, talks and workshops in the Depot Studio exploring themes that are critical to tackling climate change at an international, community and personal level.

Lewes District Council
Lewes District Council has declared a climate emergency and has committed to becoming carbon net zero and fully climate resilient by 2030. Councillors and officers with a range of specialisms will be on hand at the Studio throughout the fortnight to talk about the council’s work to meet the challenge we all face.

Monday 1 November

Money

12:00 – 14:00 – The power of money
Drop in to find out about the Lewes Pound and how a local currency can support a sustainable local economy. Plus Divest East Sussex’s ongoing campaign to get East Sussex County Council to stop investing in fossil fuels.

16:30 – 18:30 Talk: Money Rebellion and the Circular Economy
Dirk Campbell of XR Lewes explains how the core driver of the climate and ecological crisis is the global economic system and what we can do about it. Dougal Fleming explains how circular economy principles could help create a global economy in tune with our world’s finite natural resources, and Susan Murray discusses connecting money to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Wednesday 3 November

Consumption

12:00 – 15:00 – Rethinking consumption
Learn how Lewes Library of Things, The Repair Cafe and Dolly’s Clothing Alteration Service are disrupting how we shop and consume – with brief talks on each enterprise at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

15:15 – 16:45 – Climate Cafe
A safe and confidential space, facilitated by Guy Gladstone of the Climate Psychology Alliance, to share worries, thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis. Everyone is welcome. Surveys are now revealing both high levels of public concern AND that it is relatively rare for people to talk with each other about this elephant in the room. A Climate Cafe provides the necessary support for such conversations.  It is also an advice-free zone with no pressure to take action, join a group or change your mind on anything. (Please note this event is not a forum to dispute the existence of climate change!)

8 places available – tickets free – Book now

17:00 – 18:30 – Behind and beyond your footprint
What is holding back the necessary immediate large-scale mobilisation of society to address the climate crisis? Building on the Carbon Conversations model, via a dive into contemporary consumer identities,  this workshop facilitated by Guy Gladstone of the Climate Psychology Alliance enables an understanding of how and why (what might be called) your ‘green conscience’ and resulting behaviours are unlikely to line up with your best intentions and better informed awareness. For example, where and for who was the concept of an individual carbon footprint was invented? It’s an opportunity to explore our consumer culture in a workshop that may ruffle some feathers!

8 places available – tickets free –  Book now

Saturday 6 November

Workshop

14:00 – 17:00 – Workshop: The Work that Reconnects
Last held in Lewes in 2019, Guy Gladstone of the Climate Psychology Alliance will take participants through The Spiral, a tried and tested pathway to clear emotional blocks to taking climate action. The Work that Reconnects was created by the eco-philosopher, environmental activist and Buddhist scholar, Joanna Macy. We will begin with researching Gratitude which prepares the group for Honouring Our Pain. Seeing With New Eyes then facilitates the final phase of Going Forth. Throughout this carefully
structured process the focus is on communicating what we each truly feel, mostly in pairs, sometimes in a full circle. Many have found the outcome to be personally transformative.

12 places available – tickets free – Book now

Monday 8 November

Food

15:00 – 18:30 – Let’s talk about food
Local food groups including Common Cause and Green Cuisine Trust will explore how we can focus on producing food that’s local, seasonal and sustainable – from what we eat to when we eat it, how we get it and how it’s grown.

Wednesday 10 November

Transport & travel

15:00 – 18:30 – Travel without the carbon
Transport accounts for 38% of our district’s carbon emissions. Join local groups including Cycle Lewes and Lewes Living Streets to explore what’s needed for low-carbon travel – from better bus services to supporting walking and cycling. Plus Get Bikery will be talking about its upcoming cargo bike project for Lewes.