More than 200 sixth form students joined the University of Sussex’s inaugural climate conference yesterday [Thursday 17 September] to discuss threats to the planet and green career opportunities.
Former Green Party leader, Dr Caroline Lucas, who is now Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability at Sussex, led the talks alongside academics working to address the climate emergency.
Speaking during the panel debate, Dr Caroline Lucas said: “The climate crisis couldn’t be more urgent and we don’t have forever to get it right. We need people working in every single career and every part of society to be involved on some level, because change happens faster when everyone works together.
"That doesn’t mean we all have to be climate scientists, people in all fields can contribute. Political failure is a failure of the imagination, and my message to young people would be do what you love, because you’ll be doing it a long time, but whatever career you go into bring this commitment to a greener and fairer world.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Robin Banerjee welcomed the 16 and 17-year-old students to the Falmer campus with a speech drawing on the University’s heritage in sustainable development.
He said: “The climate emergency can’t be solved by experts working in silos. Many of the most powerful developments come at the intersections between subjects, where people actually connect. Climate change is a truly global problem and needs those with different perspectives to work together, which is at the heart of everything we do at Sussex.”
During the conference, students explored some of the key issues addressed in academic sessions covering everything from the sustainability problems posed by AI, to ecosystem monitoring, and the power of entrepreneurship. Associate Professor of Law, Joanna Smallwood, led a seminar on her work protecting the rights of nature, following news that Lewes has become the first town to adopt a charter enshrining the rights of trees.
Students also met local climate-focused employers to discuss career paths, including UNESCO Living Coast Biosphere, the South Downs National Park Authority, Rampion Offshore Wind, West Sussex County Council, Weald to Waves, and Knepp Wildlife Foundation.
Adding to its existing range of interdisciplinary environmental courses, the University of Sussex recently launched the UK’s first ever undergraduate climate justice degree. Students on the BA in Climate Justice, Sustainability and Development will explore a blend of climate politics, activism and environmental human rights, alongside practical skills to build a career helping to protect the planet.
Yesterday’s event was hosted by the Sussex School for Progressive Futures, the hub which coordinates the University’s programme of interdisciplinary education, research and civic engagement. This brings together the University’s Sussex 2035 key strategic themes of Human Flourishing, Environmental Sustainability and Digital and Data Futures.