2018 was a shocking year for humankind in terms of accelerating climate change, loss of species and habitats, worsening pollution problems, and serious setbacks on governance, human rights and poverty alleviation issues. Plus an extra 75 million people by the end of the year.

To point out that this is literally ‘unsustainable’ is blindingly obvious – but politicians are still not in listening mode. So how can we, in Higher Education and elsewhere, double-down on today’s inspiring solutions agenda? And should we now be embracing a new era of much more radical direct action?

Jonathon Porritt, Co-Founder of Forum for the Future, is an eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development. Established in 1996, Forum for the Future is now the UK’s leading sustainable development charity. The Forum has a growing presence in the United States, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. In addition he is President of The Conservation Volunteers, a Non-Executive Director of Willmott Dixon Holdings, a Trustee of Ashden, and a Director of Collectively (an online platform celebrating sustainable innovation). He was formerly Director of Friends of the Earth, co-chair of the Green Party and as Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission until 2009, he spent nine years providing high-level advice to Government Ministers. Jonathon was installed as the Chancellor of Keele University in February 2012. He is also Visiting Professor at Loughborough University and UCL. Recent books are ‘Capitalism As If The World Matters’ (2007) and ‘The World We Made’ (2013) - which seeks to inspire people about the prospects of a sustainable world in 2050. Jonathon received a CBE in January 2000 for services to environmental protection.

Refreshments will be available from 4.45pm onwards in the Terrace.

This lecture is free and all are welcome to attend.

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Book event