Filling a climate knowledge gap and networking with the wider community of climate heritage action!
An immersive event on climate and cultural heritage!
When: 7 May 2024; 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Where: Allen Lab; room G09
Walker together with colleagues from across the university and scientists from Nepal and Senegal came together to participate in this interactive event.
Dr. Aïda Diongue-Niang, Technical Advisor, National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, Senegal, and Vice-Chair of IPCC Working Group, presented an overview of the disruptions changes in the climate were having on peoples’ livelihoods in Senegal, including both farmers and those who depended on fishing
Dr. Celia Petty provided a snapshot from a longitudinal study in Katawi District, Uganda, where livelihood resilience was being undermined not only by climate extremes but other hazards including the impact of Covid, livestock disease and locust infestations. This had led to pressures on the natural environment with an increase in charcoal burning and extraction of clay for pottery
Prof. Roger Matthews and Dr. Wendy Matthews talked about environmental and heritage protection in Iraq, the dangers facing Iraq’s heritage and the work the Research, Assessment, Safeguarding the Heritage of Iraq in Danger (RASHID International) is doing to protect and safeguard the cultural heritage of Iraq from multiple threats, exacerbated by climate change
The event ended with an Interactive Theatre activity led by Walker Institute staff, Dr Emmanuel Essah from the School of Construction Management and PhD research students, Ainur Bulasheva, Raheem Aminu and Zechariahs Owutuamor from the Department of International Development. The theatre inspired lively participation from the audience, who suggested changes to the narrative and steered the narrative in a new direction to address the challenges articulated in the script, while the performance was taking place.
This performance was designed to encourage critical thinking and challenge our ideas of Climate change and livelihoods.