A Climate Reality for TEDxGlasgow

Two of our TEDxGlasgow team have completed the Al Gore Climate Reality Leadership Corps training and are now certified Climate Reality Project Leaders.

Zebunisa Ahmed our Head of Strategy and Jess Parish our Head of Operations, were selected to join 800 people around the world at once for online training from Al Gore and his global leaders. Exploring the history of climate change, issues we need to overcome and how to achieve climate justice around the world. Al Gore's top 10 climate stats were emphasised as part of the training to enable us to easily educate others.

Each session offered discussions, climate projects to learn about and support, networking and debates.

Joining the Climate Reality Leadership Corps and attending a training isn’t just about deepening your understanding of climate change and racial injustice.

They’re about connecting with other changemakers just like you and building a powerful network of friends, colleagues, and allies to make a difference when it matters.

Read more about their experience and what they hope to take away from the course.

Zebunisa Ahmed

I personally enjoyed learning about natural spaces and relationships with land, and then science solutions and sustainability. We covered what we know about plastics, oceans, electricity, agriculture, impacts to marginalised communities, what is meant by 1.5 degrees warming and what we have the power to act upon in each of these areas.

From the people I met I learned about their local experiences in the USA, Mexico, Spain, Nigeria and the UK. Everyone had personal or professional examples of frustration and ways they've overcome this through action which was great to discuss within my group. It reminded me that we can act, and every action does indeed matter.

It was a very insightful experience that involved debate with people around the UK and the world as we shared personal experiences and aspirations for the future.

My understanding of climate opportunities we can grasp has created a fresh sense of optimism as Adam Dorr recently said exists, and it has provided me with a revived appetite for action through showcasing ideas worth doing at TEDxGlasgow at our events, campaigns and future projects.

Jess Parish

As always, I was surprised by how huge the issue is we are facing. From how little plastic is actually recycled, to the predicted rate of extinction of land animals. It shows the importance of everyone taking actions to reduce our carbon footprint and combating the climate crisis.

It was however, brilliant to hear how much progress has been made on solar energy among other areas globally. Its important we share these messages to drive momentum and get our networks excited about making changes.

I agree with Zeb it was incredibly useful speaking with other people from from very diverse backgrounds, both within and outwith the UK. I think we should do more of this after our events, asking audiences what they thought of talks, having open discussions and debates to drive ideas and challenge each other.

I also think that whilst the problem is bigger than most people realise, I think it's important we share the positive improvements that are happening globally and sharing good news stories that others could get involved with.