Language and Writing in the Climate Crisis

We will read the words of poets, philosophers and Indigenous communities that offer alternative views and stories. We will reflect together on why words matter and how we can change the dominant narratives that have contributed to environmental destruction and climate breakdown. We will consider how we put the voices of those most affected at the forefront. We will practise speaking and writing in different ways ourselves, developing new muscles.

The course consists of 3 online workshops (10:00-12:00 (UK time) every Saturday during the date period) where we will explore, through reading and writing, how language has been used and is used to describe nature and our relationship with it. We will experiment with different ways of using words to promote an understanding of ourselves as part of the natural world.

Writers we will look at will include Ben Okri, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Robert Macfarlane and Alice Oswald as well as traditional and spiritual writings from different cultures. These will mainly be short extracts and participants will be expected to spend a couple of hours each week reading and to actively participate in the live sessions.

The date period given for the course is when you are expected to interact with the online material and discussion forum; you can work on this at any time to suit you.