Humanist activism in local groups: Practical Steps for Climate Action

In our monthly talk for November, we will discuss "Humanist activism in local groups and practical steps for climate action", led by Clare James and Christian Jensen, both volunteers with Humanist Climate Action.

Please note the later start time of 19:30pm.

Why climate action matters for humanists:

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a human one. Humanists care about evidence, ethics, and the well-being of people and the planet. The climate crisis threatens the future we want to build: one based on reason, fairness, and shared prosperity. Taking action on climate isn’t about politics or ideology, it’s about applying our values to one of the biggest challenges of our time. Whether it’s protecting communities from extreme weather, safeguarding nature for future generations, or ensuring everyone has access to a healthy, sustainable world, climate action is a natural extension of humanist principles. It’s not just about saving the planet; it’s about creating a world where people and nature can thrive together.

Why activism matters for humanist groups:

Humanism is all about making a difference, using our energy, ideas, and compassion to build a better world. While discussion and reflection are important, real change happens when we step outside our comfort zones and take action. Activism isn’t just for campaigners - it’s for anyone who wants to turn their values into impact. For humanist groups, getting involved, whether through local projects, advocacy, or partnerships, can amplify our voice and show that humanism isn’t just about philosophy, but is a force for good. It’s also a chance to connect with others who share our goals, learn new skills, and make our communities stronger.

How can we mobilise to take action here in Oxford? What and how do we prioritise our activities? Whose voices can we amplify? Please join this community discussion.

About our Speakers:

Clare James is a Cardiff-based activist who believes in turning values into action. As a Humanists UK School Speaker, she helps young people explore humanist perspectives, and, as a member of the Humanist Climate Action Committee, she advocates for evidence-based solutions to the climate crisis. With a background in embedding diversity and inclusion within organisations, Clare knows that meaningful change, whether in environmental justice or social equity, requires more than words. She brings this approach to her work with a Welsh environmental NGO, where she supports collaborative projects that prioritise diversity as a cornerstone of effective climate action.

Christian Jensen is a committee member of the Central London Humanists and head of their Activism group. Since he started the group, they have joined rallies, protests and outreach campaigns, to name a few actions. A strong believer in the power of synergistic networks, he pushed for many of their activities to be in collaboration with the Association of Black Humanists, the LGBT Humanists and Humanist Climate Action. Following on from one of these collaborations, he then became a member of the Humanist Climate Action Committee. He also assists the London Humanist Groups network, the countrywide Humanist Groups Working Together (HGWT) network and Humanists UK’s Group Representatives’ Annual Meeting (GRAM) as a member of their committees.

We are thrilled to host Clare and Christian in Oxford this November and we hope you'll register to join us for what promises to be an informative presentation and discussion. This event is free to join, but we do ask that you register to help us manage numbers and, as always, any donations you are able to contribute will support our running costs.

Not sure if this is for you or have questions about the event? Please get in touch with Andrew, our Events Manager; we'd love to hear from you at events-oxford@humanistbranches.uk.

More about the Venue: The Community Works will be open by 19:00 on the night. Please access the venue via the well-lit accessible alley just to the left of 1 Becket Street. If the weather is chilly, we do recommend bringing an extra layer.

We hope to see you there!