Manchester Science Festival is back for another year – showcasing 10 days of free digital talks and panels discussions that aim to broaden our intellectual horizons regarding all things climate change. With so much great stuff on offer (including a brand new online photography exhibition featuring user-submitted snaps showcasing science in motion), we’ve decided to showcase four of our favourite online talks that’ll help get you more engaged with our ongoing battle against the elements. Let’s take a look…

You and the Planet: Air | Tue 16 Feb | 6pm | Free

Hosted by The Guardian’s North of England editor Helen Pidd, You and the Planet: Air takes a candid look at the ways in which we pollute the very air we breath – and what steps we can take to try and fix things before its too late. Joined by an industry panel including world-leading air pollution expert Professor David Fowler, Imperial College London’s Senior Lecturer in physics Dr Mark Richards, National Geographic explorer Dr Ther Wint Aung and Clinical Research Fellow at the Institute of Applied Health Research, Dr Suzanne Bartington, this event aims to clear the air on a very pertinent issue that affects us all. This event is produced by The Royal Society in partnership with Manchester Science Festival.

Let's Talk About Eco-Anxiety | Sat 20 Feb | 2pm | Free

One of the few rays of light amid our ongoing battle against climate change is a surge in awareness among young people, inspired – in part – by the brave work of climate change activist Greta Thunberg. During this free online talk, Manchester Science Festival’s Young People panel gather a handful of guests – including Newsround presenter Martin Dougan, environmentalist, activist and Back to Nature founder Mya-Rose Craig, University of Bath lecturer Caroline Hickman – and you – to lead a contemporary discussion round this timely topic, supported by the folks at Electricity North West.

A Liveable Earth: Climate Change and the Faith Community

Author and founder of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Fazlun Khalid, leads this thought provoking online discussion which invites us to question how much we really care about fixing the mammoth climate change issues ahead of us – and what role faith communities play in helping our route forward. Chaired by Joanna Jones, Outreach and Events Manager for Friends of Stretford Public Hall – and presented in partnership with the Muslim Arts and Culture Festival AKA MACFest – this free event will leave us with practical advice on how we can all do our part to ensure a liveable world for future generations.

Our Hydrogen Future: Delivering Net Zero | Sun 21 Feb | 11am | Free

Could hydrogen be the solution to all of our climate change woes? Amer Gaffar, Director of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at MMU, and Dr Angela Needle, Director of Strategy at Cadent Gas think that it just might be. During this insightful online talk, the duo will discuss how the universe’s most abundant element and its pollution-free burning process could hold the key to helping us achieve a carbon-zero future. Presented in partnership with Yorkshire’s Cadent Gas, come ready to absorb facts as Manchester Science Festival 2021 reaches its illuminating conclusion.

Fri 12 Feb - Sun 21 Feb
Words:
Simon Bland
Published on:
Mon 15 Feb 2021