(L-R) The Scott Sisters, Sophia, Nina and Georgia, globally recognised climate change film makers and entrepreneurs. The Sisters will partake in a Q&A on their journey as climate activists at TEDxStormont Countdown on Saturday 10 October
TEDxStormont is set to host ‘Countdown’ - a global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis, turning ideas into action.
The online event, broadcast from Belfast, is set to take place on Saturday 10 October and will be part of the global launch. Around 500 other TEDx events, taking place around the world, will highlight the need for greater action on the climate emergency.
TEDxStormont Countdown will hear from leading thinkers and doers about what a cleaner, zero-emission future can be; through inspiring examples of current progress underway, and compelling reasons why now, as the world recovers from a different global shock, is the time to act.
Local voices such as Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA; Steven Agnew, Head of NI Renewables Industry Group; Dr David McGowan, climate and energy engineer at SONI; and Professor John Barry, Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at Queens University Belfast are expected to take part alongside contributions from RSPB NI and Business in the Community NI.
Globally recognised filmmakers and entrepreneurs, The Scott Sisters will also make an appearance. The sisters are expected to delve into how they used their experience of travel and research into climate change to design problem-solving travel goods to drive positive change, reduce plastic pollution and improve people’s lives.
The event will also have a host of international and well-known faces beamed in as part of the global push for greater understanding of climate emergency activism and to shine a light on the need for fresh thinking. They include:
The Duke of Cambridge, HRH Prince William;
EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen;
Australian born, Hollywood actor, Chris Hemsworth.
A special appearance is expected from Irish Ambassador to the US, Daniel Mulhall, who has discovered newfound fame with his Covid-19 lockdown poetry and literature recitals via social media. Ambassador Mulhall will read a selected poem to celebrate nature for the virtual audience.
A specially composed mini opera “Final Act: Unexpected Changes” will be premiered at the event. This unique production brings together technologists from NASA, MIT and Google in collaboration with globally renowned musicians to explore the human emotional cost of the interaction of technology and climate change.
The TEDxStormont Countdown event is being held in partnership with SONI the Electricity System Operator for Northern Ireland. SONI runs the NI electricity system and is committed to transforming the power sector from fossil fuels to a clean energy system, as a direct response to the climate crisis.
Eva Grosman, Curator of TEDxStormont said:
“The Climate Emergency is a live issue that remains to be appropriately addressed. The Countdown initiative is the perfect opportunity for Northern Ireland’s climate change and environmental leaders to discuss ideas for change.
“The global Countdown initiative by TED brings together a powerful collaboration of partners from all sectors of society including EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, actor, Chris Hemsworth, and HRH Prince William. The collaboration of multi-sector speakers highlights the intense need globally for change and new thinking to help save the planet from environmental destruction.
“TEDxStormont Countdown will see some of Northern Ireland’s best climate activists including Steven Agnew and Professor John Barry. We are also thrilled to have the Scott Sisters join us, who are paving the way as doers in the world of climate activism, spreading the word and giving people real options to combat the climate crisis.
“Countdown will also hear from politicians on what they are doing to better our environment, especially on the aim of having net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon MLA will be joining us live on 10 October to discuss what her Department’s plans are for ensuring this can be done in Northern Ireland and how we can work to save our small portion of the planet.
“No other voice is more important in the climate crisis than that of our young people. Unfortunately, they will inherit this emergency and it is important that they have a platform. Our youth panel is expected to throw up some insights into the actions they believe to be essential and what must be done to create a sustainable way of living.”
Jo Aston, Managing Director of SONI (Electricity System Operator for Northern Ireland) said:
“The climate crisis is well understood and the impact of climate change globally is undeniable. The real question is how fast society can respond to limit the damage. We need big ideas, debate and motivation and TEDxStormont Countdown is an ideal opportunity to focus minds and to showcase purposeful action.
“As the Electricity System Operator for Northern Ireland, SONI has a key role to play in shaping Northern Ireland’s climate future. We run the electricity grid, matching supply and demand every second of every day, because of this we are in a position to work with government, industry and communities to deliver a clean energy system for Northern Ireland.
“What we do from our control centre in East Belfast is world-leading, the NI power system is able to run with 65% renewable electricity, but it is our ambition to get that to 95% or greater. We want Northern Ireland’s electricity system to be a pioneer in the fight against climate change. We are stepping up to do this and through our partnership with TEDxStormont we will call on everyone in Northern Ireland to step up to do what they can and more. The planet cannot wait.”
To register for TEDxStormont Countdown: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NeokYQACSLGHbWhU2ol2DA