Climate change is a European reality. Ece Temelkuran is a prominent Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator on climate change and its impact on societies around the world. In her writings and speeches, Temelkuran emphasizes the urgent need for global action to address this existential threat to humanity. She will be discussing the dilemma of climate democracy with writer Eva Rovers and Clare Farrell, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion.
Europe has set ambitious climate targets, including reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 relative to 1990 levels. In any event, the question remains whether these targets will be met in time to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
While some propose new institutional forms of public consultation to circumvent political inactivity, others believe it is necessary to act more quickly. During this programme, the following question will be examined: can we save the planet without breaking the system?
About the speakers
Ece Temelkuran is a prominent Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator known for her critical perspective on the politics of Turkey and the wider Middle East region. Temelkuran has been an active commentator on climate change and its impact on societies around the world. In her writings and speeches, she emphasizes the urgent need for global action to address this existential threat to humanity.
Eva Rovers is a Dutch writer and cultural historian. She is also the co-founder of Bureau Burgerberaad. In her most recent book ‘Nu is het aan ons’ – Oproep tot echte democratie” (“Now it’s up to us. Call for real democracy”), she passionately argues for not leaving politics exclusively to politicians. The multifaceted problems of the 21st century require a multifaceted approach, and citizen assemblies are ideal for that.
Clare Farrell is an active citizen, devoting her creativity, her energy, and occasionally her personal liberty, to fight against climate collapse and the wider environmental crisis. As one of the cofounders of Extinction Rebellion her work to date has included coordinating the creative team that delivered the name, identity, and messaging that the movement set out with in 2018, co-editing the bestselling book, This is Not a Drill, and now works with the UK media team and acts as a spokesperson.
Speakers
Forum on European Culture:
Simon Schama: What History Teaches Us About Pandemics
How should we look back on the way we dealt with COVID-19? And how can societies prepare themselves for new viruses to come?
Eline Arbo & Natalie Haynes on European Tragedy
Can we draw moral lessons from ancient European myths? And how do we deal with their predominantly male perspective?
A Culture of Genocide
European history is steeped in violence, war and genocide. How have these events shaped the Europe of today?