TEDxStormont Countdown is set to return this November as part of a global initiative to accelerate climate change solutions through actionable ideas.
TEDxStormont Countdown is expected to coincide with the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.
The COP26 summit aims to champion action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In the run up to the Countdown event, TEDxStormont will host a series of online and in-person initiatives and campaigns to encourage conversations about climate change across Northern Ireland with a focus on five core themes - energy, nature, food, materials, and transport.
The first online session will be 'Shaping Our Electricity Future: Have Your Say' on 25 May at 6.00pm.
It will see climate activists partake in an online event focused on reimagining the electricity grid, so that it can deliver a clean electricity future. Experts from SONI, the company which runs Northern Ireland’s electricity grid, will put their plans to the group for insights and challenge.
The virtual session will be hosted by local actress and comedian, Nuala McKeever, and will be an opportunity for attendees to contribute to the clean electricity consultation.
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The event will also hear from young climate campaigner Anna Kernahan, and Sara McCracken, RSPB NI’s Head of Fundraising and Communications will introduce RSPB’s Artist of the Year competition.
The charity, with the support of TEDxStormont, will be calling for artists of all ages to use their skills to illustrate their vision of a nature rich and climate safe future for Northern Ireland. The competition aims to give a platform to these voices and encourage politicians to match their words with action.
Curator of TEDxStormont Countdown, Eva Grosman said: “The Countdown initiative is the ideal opportunity for Northern Ireland’s climate change and environmental leaders from a range of sectors to join together to discuss and action the key solutions that will prevent further damage to our environment."
Natasha Sayee, Head of External Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at SONI added: “Shaping Our Electricity Future is SONI’s direct response to the climate crisis and is fundamental to Northern Ireland’s ambitions of reaching at least 70% electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
"The move to clean electricity will affect everyone in Northern Ireland, and we want to engage with the public to hear their opinions on how best to move forward ensuring we meet the targets and respond to the Climate Crisis."
Register to have your say on Monday 25 May in TEDxStormont Countdown's Shaping our Electricity Future session here.
