COP27 Festival of Talks

The Geography Department, in collaboration with EcoSoc, is putting on a programme of events and talks this month to coincide with COP27, the UN World Climate Summit.

To find out what is really going on with our climate and our society as we battle with balancing economic development and environmental preservation, pupils were invited to come along to this year’s COP27 Festival of talks and events featuring Mr Troen, Sabeer (Upper Eighth), Rob Gardner and OP Rishi Stocker.

As the festival poster states: “The planet is at a turning point. We can either face the mounting evidence of the damage being done to our climate and environment, or continue with business as usual and pretend that everything will be alright in the end (it won’t).”

In addition, a large graphic has been placed in the Atrium to illustrate rising sea levels.

The first talk, delivered by Mr Troen was titled ‘Tactics to Tackle Climate Change within the Capitalist System’. Mr Troen presented practical solutions to decouple environmental degradation and CO2 emissions from economic development.

On Wednesday 24 November, a ‘COP27 Question Time’ was held in the Atrium at lunchtime. Pupils could submit questions to ask the panel of teachers  – Mr Smith (Chemistry), Mr Nilsson (Politics), Dr Powell (Biology) and Mr Troen (Geography).

On Wednesday 30 November, straight off the plane from this year’s COP27 in Egypt, Rob Gardner, Director of Investments at St James’ Place Wealth Management discussed his experiences of the COP27 circuit plus how innovation and tech can make capitalism more sustainable.

On Tuesday 6 December at 4.30pm, the final talk took place, which was open to the whole Pauline community. Rishi Stocker, OP and founder of True Circle, delivered a live talk on entrepreneurship and innovation within the Clean-Tech sector. The John Colet Hall was filled by pupils, parents, OPs and partnership school pupils.