Faith, arts and science collaborate to inspire climate change workshops

Date published: 05 January 2024

A collaborative project between the Rochdale Science Initiative CIC, Neeli Mosque and a London artist and scientist has helped raise young people’s awareness of climate change.

The Our World Our Collective Future project saw a series of workshops at Neeli Mosque, led by artist and physicist, Geraldine Cox, after being inspired by a talk at the Grantham Institute of Imperial College London.

The talk, by Brian Eno, outlined the role that faith and the arts can play in the fight against climate change.

Our World Our Collective Future took place on the last Thursday evening of every month from September to November, seeing 45 young people meet at Neeli Mosque to understand the climate crisis, learn about solutions and explore the role that can be played.

The group was a fairly even split of boys and girls, aged between 13 and 14. Each workshop was opened by the Imam Syed Asad Ali talking about the Quran and earth before climate change context was added by Geraldine, referencing worldwide events like floods and fires.

The workshops were supported by scientists, artists, activists, and council representatives including from The Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, York University, Rochdale Council and the Manchester Climate Change Youth Network.

Each workshop was centred around a specific theme:

• What is happening to our planet and why?
• Solutions
• What we can do

Geraldine said: “In the first session, the Imam began by speaking to our planetary responsibilities. We imagined the Earth’s atmosphere as the fine skin of an apple, learn about the unceasing and accelerating increase in greenhouse gas emissions into this fine layer and the ensuing planetary impacts such as fire and flood.

“Then we considered the main sources of the pollutants and explored the carbon footprint of different activities and foods. The vibrant late collages of artist Henri Matisse were used as inspiration for creating big colourful images that deliver the facts.”

Session two – centred around solutions – including looking at ways to tackle climate change, such as increasing efficiency, electrification, renewables and the strategies for food and land. The Imam launched the evening by talking about the contribution of Islamic scholars to modern science.

“After exploring technology, food and land use solutions, the graphic art of artist Alexander Calder inspired a poster-making session where participants encouraged viewers to think about green technologies, food strategies, and create a future energy plan that adds up for Great Britain,” Geraldine added.

“Session three, exploring what we can do, saw the Imam reminding us of our duty to act. We considered what had happened around the world since we last met – the floods, fires and pollution, and review UK progress against what we know needs to happen. Ideas were discussed relating to politics and activism, and we workshopped how we might engage people around us on this topic.

“In a creative writing exercise, we completed the sentences: ‘I don’t accept...’; ‘It would be so much better if...’, and ‘I will…’ and shared our thoughts with the group.”

Geraldine said: “The group was lovely and it really gives you hope for the future. They took on everything and brought so much to it.”

The initiative was funded and supported by Rochdale Science Initiative, the UK Science Festivals Network and UKRI.

Findings from the project will be shared at the May 2024 Rochdale Science Initiative festival at Rochdale Town Hall.

Grantham Annual Lecture 2022: The ever-growing climate movement: Shaping climate change narratives - the talk that inspired the project