READING CLIMATE FESTIVAL is set to return for its third running, encouraging positive action against the environmental crisis.
The week-long series of online and in-person workshops and talks will take place between Saturday, September 24, and Sunday, October 2.
Organised by Reading Climate Action Network (ReadingCAN), events run concurrently with the national Great Big Green Week.
Festival curator, Tracey Rawling Church, said: “Taking action on climate change doesn’t just help to reduce the effects of global warming, it can also have significant benefits in other areas.
“For example, energy efficiency can reduce fuel bills, reducing food waste can cut grocery costs and active travel can improve fitness without the need for expensive gym membership.
“The festival aims to offer practical salutations that can benefit individuals and organisations in a friendly, fun and accessible way.”
The festival started in 2020 as a series of online talks covering various topics on climate change and sustainable living as part of Reading’s climate emergency response.
ReadingCAN is supporting the town’s commitment to being a net zero, climate resilient-town by 2030.
With the easing of lockdown restrictions, some in-person events were added to the programme the following year to incorporate more entertainment and public participation.
The full 2022 programme is available on the festival’s website.
“As always, there are a wide variety of events on various topics relating to climate action,” the organisation explained via social media.
“But this year we’ve boosted the number of talks about energy efficiency, to make sure people get the information they need to keep their bills low in the current energy price crisis.”
New for this year, a dedicated Youth Fair will be held at Reading School on the opening Saturday, Reading Cycle Festival at Christchurch Meadows on the day after, and Reading Environmental Spaces Clean-Up Event (RESCUE).
A variety of experts and organisations share their expertise to contribute to the festival’s offering, with Reading’s Economic and Destination Agency, REDA, sponsoring the event.
The festival’s logo and website incorporates the University of Reading’s climates stripes, a concept designed by Prof Ed Hawkins of the department of meteorology and which features on Reading FC’s kits this year.
A team of volunteers run the not-for-profit event on behalf of Reading Climate Change Partnership, which is responsible for the town’s climate emergency strategy.
The partnership’s public outreach is delivered by ReadingCAN, which looks to bring together individuals, communities and organisations to achieve their collective goal.
It was important to the organisers’ central principle that entry to the festival was free, with tickets for all events bookable via the link below.
For more information or to book tickets, visit: www.readingcan.org.uk
