God and Nature Spring 2019
across the pond |
|
A Column by Mike Clifford
"An Interview on Climate"
by Mike Clifford
The following is an interview with four student protestors (Eleanor, Jessamine, Amma, and Greta) who took to the streets to join the international “Youth Strike 4 Climate” on Friday, 15th March 2019, along with hundreds of Nottingham schoolchildren.
Q. Can you tell me about the climate protest strike that you were involved in recently?
A. It was a strike in which students marched down from Trinity Square to the old market square instead of being in school to show that we think our world is more important than anything else.
Q. How did you first hear about it?
A. There were a lot of articles about Greta Thunberg, and so we became interested about whether any strikes were taking place in Nottingham.
Q. What did you do?
A. At the strike we listened to many inspiring speeches about people's beliefs on climate change, which made me understand the seriousness of what is happening even better.
Q. Was it worth missing school for?
A. Definitely. I understand that my education is important, but I feel that this determines our future more than my GCSEs.
Q. Did you get into trouble for missing school?
A. Not from the two we've been on, but our teacher has said it is our last chance.
Q. Apart from striking, what are you doing about climate change, or do you think it’s for others to take action?
A. We are trying to reduce my plastic/paper waste and cycle or take public transport. However, we think that there are people who have more power to make a difference.
Q. What do you think scientists could/should be doing?
A. Scientists already have the solutions, but should make these more public so that everyone can apply them to life.
Q. What do you think the UK government is doing about climate change at the moment?
A. I don't think they are doing anything that is very impactful, as they are focussing their attention on Brexit.
Q. What would you like them to do?
A. We would like the government to put restrictions on what people can use and make the majority of power in our country green faster.
Q. What sort of world would you like to live in?
A. A world where we can live sustainably.
Q. Do you think that sort of world is possible?
A. We think it will be possible if everybody makes an effort, and governments in particular try and make drastic changes.
Q. Do you think that religion/faith/the church has anything to say about the issue?
A. Most religions have teachings about being kind and compassionate towards others, and to do this we need to look after our planet to protect everyone's lives.
Q. Is there anything to be positive about?
A. There are some countries who are turning themselves around and becoming more or fully sustainable - if more countries did this,
then we could make a big difference.
Q. What, if anything, are you looking forward to?
A. We are looking forward to the banning of diesel and petrol cars in 2040, as this could make a massive difference. However, we think this could happen sooner.
Mike Clifford is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham. His research interests are in combustion, biomass briquetting, cookstove design and other appropriate technologies. He has published over 80 refereed conference and journal publications and has contributed chapters to books on composites processing and on appropriate and sustainable technologies.
The following is an interview with four student protestors (Eleanor, Jessamine, Amma, and Greta) who took to the streets to join the international “Youth Strike 4 Climate” on Friday, 15th March 2019, along with hundreds of Nottingham schoolchildren.
Q. Can you tell me about the climate protest strike that you were involved in recently?
A. It was a strike in which students marched down from Trinity Square to the old market square instead of being in school to show that we think our world is more important than anything else.
Q. How did you first hear about it?
A. There were a lot of articles about Greta Thunberg, and so we became interested about whether any strikes were taking place in Nottingham.
Q. What did you do?
A. At the strike we listened to many inspiring speeches about people's beliefs on climate change, which made me understand the seriousness of what is happening even better.
Q. Was it worth missing school for?
A. Definitely. I understand that my education is important, but I feel that this determines our future more than my GCSEs.
Q. Did you get into trouble for missing school?
A. Not from the two we've been on, but our teacher has said it is our last chance.
Q. Apart from striking, what are you doing about climate change, or do you think it’s for others to take action?
A. We are trying to reduce my plastic/paper waste and cycle or take public transport. However, we think that there are people who have more power to make a difference.
Q. What do you think scientists could/should be doing?
A. Scientists already have the solutions, but should make these more public so that everyone can apply them to life.
Q. What do you think the UK government is doing about climate change at the moment?
A. I don't think they are doing anything that is very impactful, as they are focussing their attention on Brexit.
Q. What would you like them to do?
A. We would like the government to put restrictions on what people can use and make the majority of power in our country green faster.
Q. What sort of world would you like to live in?
A. A world where we can live sustainably.
Q. Do you think that sort of world is possible?
A. We think it will be possible if everybody makes an effort, and governments in particular try and make drastic changes.
Q. Do you think that religion/faith/the church has anything to say about the issue?
A. Most religions have teachings about being kind and compassionate towards others, and to do this we need to look after our planet to protect everyone's lives.
Q. Is there anything to be positive about?
A. There are some countries who are turning themselves around and becoming more or fully sustainable - if more countries did this,
then we could make a big difference.
Q. What, if anything, are you looking forward to?
A. We are looking forward to the banning of diesel and petrol cars in 2040, as this could make a massive difference. However, we think this could happen sooner.
Mike Clifford is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham. His research interests are in combustion, biomass briquetting, cookstove design and other appropriate technologies. He has published over 80 refereed conference and journal publications and has contributed chapters to books on composites processing and on appropriate and sustainable technologies.