Involving everyone: citizen deliberation for climate justice

Involving everyone: citizen deliberation for climate justice
The climate emergency is arguably the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced. It will impact everything and everyone.

Immediate action is needed to mitigate these impacts – vast reductions in our carbon emissions that will require huge adaptations to the way we live from what we eat, to how we move around, how we produce the things we need, heat our homes, and clothe ourselves. For many, this will mean transformations to livelihoods and lifestyles. The scale and urgency of the challenge requires society-wide consensus on how we adapt. But in an age of polarisation and conflict, how can we facilitate that consensus?

This panel will discuss the potential for a deliberative approach to citizen engagement to address climate change. A deliberative approach means enabling collective decision making based on reasoned discussion. Can this approach help communities find common ground, build solidarity, consent and consensus to drive the change needed to meet the challenges we all face? We’ll hear from places in Ireland and the UK where this approach is already happening, and talk about how it can be scaled up across NI to drive community-led, just transition.

Panelists include Sarah Allan, Director at Involve, Kieran Harrahill, Climate Researcher at TASC, and Nichola Hughes, Director of Sustainable NI.

Learn more: involve.org.uk • Involve NI Twitter • Involve UK Twitter