Climate Cafe

Finding green, sustainable solutions to the Climate Crisis.

Cimate Cafe is a monthly event run at the BRIG in Digbeth and hosted by Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth. Climate Cafes focus on a different environmental topic every month. Attendees can hear from experts in a number of areas, ask questions, and meet new people.

This is a welcoming space for hopeful ideas. It is open to everyone, regardless of how much you know already to share thoughts and solutions to the climate and ecological crises.

Upcoming Topics:

Nov 25 - No Climate Cafe this month.

Dec 25 - Please note -14th December 2-5pm. 'Climate Fresk Workshop' with Madeleleine van Wassenhove.

🌱 What is Climate Fresk?

The Climate Fresk is a collaborative workshop that transforms climate science into a simple, interactive group exercise. Working in small teams, you will map out the causes and consequences of climate change, like assembling a puzzle that reveals the bigger picture. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the issues and a shared view of where we can take action together. It’s also an opportunity for networking and team building.

💡Why join?

• Gain practical insight into the science behind climate change.

• Work alongside the BRIG community in an interactive setting.

• Experience a session that is engaging, thought-provoking, and solutions focused.

Jan 26 - 'Sustainability and the future of AI in Communications' with Ryan Robert Johnson, Lecturer and Founding Director of ZOOZLY

This session will explore the future of AI in communications and its broader sustainability implications, by focusing on ways to reduce its environmental impact and ensure it actively supports climate and ecological goals, rather than undermining them. It will also examine practical opportunities for Extinction Rebellion Birmingham to harness AI tools to amplify their message, reach new audiences, and engage communities more effectively, while remaining aligned with their values and sustainability principles.

Previous Topics:

Dec 23 - 'Intro to Energy: Generating, Storing, and Using' with Issy Stephens from the University of Birmingham

Jan 24 - 'What Eco-Justice Looks Like as an Ethnic Minority' with Toqueer Quyyam, writer of the Toqueer Green Experience blog

Feb 24 - 'Beat the Traffic and Save the Planet With Active Travel' with Better Streets for Birmingham committee

Mar 24 - 'Elevating Your Style Sustainably: Tips and Tricks from a Sustainable Stylist' with Sahra Derkits, founder and owner of TakingYourSpace

Apr 24 - 'Taking Responsibilty for Sustainability in our Institutions' with Krutika Ganeru, Sustainability Project Officer at Aston University

May 24 - 'Why Air Quality Matters' with Kirsten, activist with Mums for Lungs

Jun 24 - 'James Cond, A Retrofit Story in the Heart of the City' with Deb Bunce, Head of Sustainable Construction at University College Birmingham

Jul 24 - 'Repair Cafe' with ReCognition Circular, T-Level Engineering Students from University College Birmingham, and others

Sep 24 - 'Individuals Can Only Do So Much: Why We Need The Climate & Nature Bill' with Jamie Russel from Zero Hour

Oct 24 - 'Corporate Profit or People's Green Energy Revolution' with David Toke, author of Energy Revolutions

Nov 24 - 'Criminalisation of Peaceful Protest' with a panel of activists from Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil, and the Palestine movements

Dec 24 - 'The Climate Crisis in South Africa and Zimbabwe' with Catherine Mahandu, Field Researcher

Jan 25 - 'International Conflict and Climate Change' with Extinction Rebellion activists facing trial for action around Telford Arms Fair

Feb 25 - 'Non-Violent Direct Action Training' with Extinction Rebellion Trainers

Mar 25 - 'Aviation, Sustainability, and Flight-Free Travel' with Anna Hughes from Flight Free UK

Apr 2025 - No Cafe in April due to Easter

May 2025 - 'Climate Poetry Workshop' with local poet and eclological activist, Laura Hackett

Jun 2025 - 'Plant Alchemy: Botanical Inks and Composting' with Carolyn Morton, Compost Coordinator at Birmingham Friends of the Earth and freelance artist

Jul 25 - 'Resilience and wellbeing practices for climate activists: connecting to purpose in a changing world' with Jane Charlesworth of We Got to Move.

Aug 25 - No Climate Cafe - it's a time for rest and recuperation!

Sep 25 - 'Drawing on Data' with Megan Wakefield. A visual arts workshop.

Oct 25 - The Warehouse Retrofit Tour with Karen Leach, CEO of Birmingham Friends of the Earth.