Student event - Climate Talk 3
On Monday 13 March, the School of Religion and Theology organised Climate Talk 3: A conversation about the existential dimension of the climate crisis, in collaboration with 3D, the VU's debate and discussion centre. Prior to this talk, Ruard Ganzevoort, dean of the School of Religion and Theology opened Holy Nature Month. A themed month in which the school organises a number of activities such as the public lecture on 30 March on sacred nature by Karen Armstrong, honorary doctor at the Free University.
During the meeting in 3D, spiritual care student Jochem Vink gave an insight into his personal Buddhist perspective. Jochem finds his inspiration but also his solace in the rich and accessible Plum Village tradition and specifically in the work of Vietnamese monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. And specifically his latest book 'Zen and the art of saving the planet'.
SRT Alumnus Boaz van Luijk, as an environmental activist and climate mayor of Dordrecht, finds his inspiration in the Christian tradition. Boaz stressed in the interview he had with moderator Miranda van Holland that he interprets the ideas he was given as a child about stewardship of the earth differently today and sees a clear need for climate activism.
Rasit Bal, project director of imam training at the school offered an insight into the Islamic perspective. Although Islam does not see nature as sacred, caring for nature occupies an important place with the principle of 'use no more than you need' at its core. Bal emphasised that the conversation on climate within Islam globally is linked to the economic lag of many Islamic countries.
Iris Veerbeek then conducted the 'Wild pedagogy' workshop where she challenged attendees to go outside in search of traces of nature. Participants came back with very personal and unique findings. For instance, one participant told me that she only now noticed that all the trees on campus are the same age, with a 'senior tree' missing. Another participant what noticed that most nature on campus cannot be controlled like the rats and mice and the gulls and magpies that feast on the food scraps left by students. This wild pedagogy offers an opportunity to look at nature in a different way and as one participant put it, "to absorb information not only through your brain but by also feeling. And this brings closer the loss of nature, the horror of the climate crisis".
This meeting offered participants the opportunity to experience very directly their personal feelings, fear but also grief about the climate. An experience that, judging by the number of participants who stayed to chat afterwards, had quite an impact on those present.
3D organises the monthly 'Climate Talks'. In this way, to keep the dialogue around the global climate crisis and energy transition going on campus. Scientists and students from all schools and faculties participate in the talks and discuss the role of the university and academic research in the face of climate change.