Leading environmentalist, Fazlun Khalid will talk about what is perhaps the greatest threat humanity faces today, namely climate change, in this event organised by the Muslim Staff Network at the University of Leeds.

The dangers we face from climate change are well documented and Climate Action Tracker tells us that Morocco is the only country in the world that is on course to achieve the1.5 degrees Celsius target whilst the rest of the world will be hard put to it to get anywhere near the 2 degrees Celsius limit set by the Paris Agreement.

Fazlun Khalid argues that what has brought us to the edge of disaster is the human proclivity to tamper with the default settings that make nature work aided and abetted by a political economy that promises the good life. The Green Energy Movement, the Divestment Initiative and the push for Sustainable Development are all parts of a package of initiatives put together to stem the global warming tide, but in Fazlun’s opinion, they go no further than tinker with the technicalities. The problem is systemic and political economy the issue. Lifestyle change is now urgently called for if we are to avoid planetary collapse and powerful vested interests are the main barrier to this shift in the level of consciousness.

Fazlun Khalid will offer his views on this important topic with reference to his recently published book, 'Signs on the Earth – Islam, Modernity and the Climate Crisis.'

There will be a Q&A session, and opportunity for further discussion during refreshments following the talk.

Organised by Muslim Staff Network (University of Leeds) and Madina Town Movement

Book your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/signs-on-the-earth-faith-inspired-responses-to-the-climate-emergency-tickets-74826655541

About the Speaker:

Fazlun has a worldwide reputation as an advocate of environmental protection rooted in religious traditions and is now recognised as one of 15 leading eco-theologians in the world (Grist magazine, USA 24 July 2000). He founded the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences which is now established as the world’s leading Islamic environmental NGO. He is a member of the UN Task Team on Religion and Development Advisory Council and also a member of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme.

Parking: There are good public transport links to the university but if visitors need to travel by car, parking will be available at a cost - https://carparking.leeds.ac.uk/visitors/. For sat nav users: using the postcode provided will direct you to the main entrance of the University of Leeds, the venue is a short walk from there.

This event is open to all. For further details please contact msn@leeds.ac.uk.