University of York YEW events at King’s Manor

Event Description

Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is a University of York-based team that helps to connect the activities we are doing on environmental sustainability within teaching, research and campus operations to deliver new joined-up benefits and create impact within and beyond the University.

Through creating and leading collaborative activities, networking or providing resource support, ESAY aims to maximise our environmental sustainability impact with internal and external partners by working collectively rather than within individual parts of the University.

Enjoy and learn from a range of activities, book for one or enjoy a whole day! Most events are ideal for teens and adults, with the storytelling session for under 5’s and parents.

All events are wheelchair accessible, with automated captions available for online events.

10:00 – 11:00 Sustainability Stories

Join us for a creative session, involving storytelling and crafts, in which we celebrate nature and the environment through some of our favourite picture books. For you and your children under 5 years old. A collaboration between York Explore (Library) and York University.

11:00 – 12:30 Experiements in thinking – Citizens’ Council

Citizens’ Council is a role-based thought experiment that puts participants in a position of interested parties and policymakers, allowing them to engage with their own and others’ perspectives and identify opportunities and obstacles to resolving environmental conflicts of interest in their local community. It provides an opportunity for participants to express, challenge and reflect on different opinions and views, promoting a dialogic and participatory approach to resolving environmental sustainability issues.

12:00 – 13:00 Nature Journaling

Discover the beauty and artistry of nature journaling in this immersive and hands-on workshop designed for beginners! If you’ve ever been captivated by the wonders of the natural world and longed to capture its essence on paper, this event is perfect for you.

Nature journaling is a time-honoured practice that combines art, science, and personal reflection. It’s a way to connect with nature on a deeper level, enhancing your observation skills while expressing your creativity. In this workshop, we will use an outdoor space to observe what we see through the use of drawing, words and numbers. Journaling and drawing supplies will be provided. 

Dress comfortably for the weather and wear suitable footwear for walking.

13:00 – 14:00 Climate Club (repeated 14:00 – 15:00)

Climate Club is a role playing card game that deals with various challenges that we all face in the context of sustainability and climate action. The game is played in a group of 3 to 5 players.

15:00 – 17:00 Cocoa Sustainability Challenge

The ‘Cocoa Sustainability Challenge’ is a two-hour opportunity to learn more about your favourite treat – chocolate! You will negotiate with different groups involved in chocolate production – cocoa farmers, an NGO supporting cocoa farmers, a chocolate company and consumers – about what ‘cocoa sustainability’ should look like in the chocolate bar you are creating together. Is planting more trees with cocoa trees to address climate change most important? Or is it all about improving what farmers get? What about higher-quality cocoa? Different priorities and visions may clash, but you will have chocolate in the end! All ages 15+ welcome.

17:00 – 18:00 Dicey Dialogue

Can questions change the world?   In this session, we will discuss different responses to the climate crisis including social and political responses as well as large scale interventions in the Earth’s climate system.  The dialogue will be structured around a set of illustrated climate question cards created by young people, scientists and policymakers during an experiment in public dialogue, funded by the RSA and UKRI.

Organised by: University of York

When: Friday 29 September, see timings above

Where: King’s Manor, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EP (room K/G33)

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/university-of-york-edge-69454974183