Institute for Social Justice
Resilience in a changing climate
This Living Lab 2024-2026 will explore ‘Climate Resilience’ through live briefs on 4 scales: Campus, City, Region, and Global.
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Climate resilience asks how we can prepare for, respond to, and recover from climatic events.
Climate resilience relies upon many factors and actors including education, activism, ecologists and policymakers. Voices from across our communities and sectors have a role to play.
It's painful to accept that we are living in a changed climate. We’re no longer in the ‘safe zone’.
Yet in accepting this, there is a call to action for everyone. This may be a spark for building fairer and more flourishing societies. Can we design ways of coping with the impacts of climate change, that also address other injustices? These are challenges that, in one way or another, will be part of most people’s careers and lives.
How we are approaching climate resilience
During 2024 to 2026, the Living Lab will explore ‘Climate Resilience’ through live briefs on 4 scales: Campus, City, Region, and Global.
The Living Lab developed these 4 briefs in consultation with academics across the York St John community. In doing so, each brief builds on existing research threads at the University. This is important, as it gives your work a home and a network of committed, active individuals who can support your interests and goals.
Download your student handbook to shape climate resilience through the YSJ Living Lab. Including 'Live Briefs' and resources.
The Friendly Living Fund
One major initiative for the latest Living Lab is creating and delivering the Friendly Living Fund. This is a pot of money open to applications from York St John students with a climate-conscious initiative they would like to implement.
There are a few ways you will be able to engage:
- Join our People’s Assembly on 15 October 2024 to help determine who and how the fund is delivered. See more on our events listing below.
- Apply to sit on the student-led funding panel. Applications open after 16 October 2024 with more information to follow.
- Apply to the fund (opening 2025) as an individual or a collective.
Get in touch
There are lots of ways to get involved. You can get involved through modules, as an informal group member, or to start your own project with our support. We welcome new ideas and individual interests. We also support sharing research or projects beyond the scope of papers. Creative, innovative ways of engaging audiences are very much encouraged.
For further information, email v.pugh@yorksj.ac.uk and c.heinemeyer@yorksj.ac.uk.
Events
Student People’s Assembly: Be part of shaping student climate resilience
15 October 2024, 3.00pm to 5.30pm in Holgate Canteen.
Join us for a free meal co-hosted by your YSJ Students’ Union and the Living Lab.
A People's Assembly (PA) is a group gathered to discuss issues and collectively make decisions. With lightning talks from diverse voices, break-out groups and facilitated discussions, PAs end in a vote for next actions. In this case, who will run the Friendly Living Fund, and how?
Discover more about this event in our Living Lab Flyer (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Student opportunity
Gain skills and collaborative experience by becoming a PA facilitator. In the lead-up, we will offer 2 workshops. Email c.heinemeyer@yorksj.ac.uk.
Living Lab: REPAIR FAIR
Friday 22 November 2024
Bringing the energy and passion of YSJ students, staff, and local groups from the community together for a wonderful, sustainability-focused upcycling event – our first Repair Fair. Entirely focused on skills for a climate-resilient future, and entirely fun and crafty.
The event included:
- Repair Table: clothes, bags, and beloved (textile) items mended by skilled and friendly volunteers.
- Upcycling: Creating a sewing kit to take home.
- Craftivism: Making the Living Lab’s Community Quilt.
Read more about the event on the ISJ Blog written by Living Lab Intern, Ellie Steel, or on this York St John news story.
The Living Lab Mid-Winter Potluck
Tuesday 28 January 2025, 3.00pm to 5.30pm.
SU Coffee Lounge.
Join the Living Lab Mid-Winter Potluck as we share free food, explore the story of the current 'Resilience in a Changing Climate' project so far, and look ahead to exciting
things to come. We will launch the Friendly Living Fund, the first micro-grant scheme designed by students for students, in collaboration with the YSJ Students' Union.
Find out more and book your free place on Eventbrite!