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Cop26 side events happening in London

The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known colloquially as the Cop26 summit, kicks off in Glasgow this week, with world leaders and activities coming together to discuss progress and strategies for reaching ‘net zero’ and limiting the global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees. Back in London, arts organisations are welcoming visitors of all ages with engaging workshops, exhibitions and performances to raise awareness of the climate crisis, and offer inspiration for the steps we should be taking to help.
Here are some of the Cop26 side events happening in London to get involved with this week.

We Are History, Somerset House

Much of the conversation around the climate emergency focuses on the actions we should be taking in the present, while rooting the problem in the Industrial Revolution. But a new exhibition at Somerset House is prompting visitors to look back further, to the 18th century colonial era, arguing that it was the forced mass migration of people through slavery for the benefit of the west’s agriculture industry that kicked off the crisis. Called We Are History, the exhibition has been curated by writer Ekow Eshun and explores the issue through a mix of mediums including photography, prints, textile, installation and video.

WHEN

16 October - 6 February

WHERE

Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

Ice Worlds Festival, National Maritime Museum

Celebrate advancements in polar science and hear from explorers working in the harsh conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic at the three-day Ice Worlds Festival, hosted by Royal Museums Greenwich. The centrepiece of the festival is the UK’s newest polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, which has docked in Greenwich for the occasion. Further highlights from the 13 exhibitions include the chance to see the ship's robotic counterpart Boaty McBoatface up close and learn more about how robots are being used to explore the oceans, and the chance for little ones to become 'walrus detectives' in a project looking to understand how wildlife populations are being affected by climate change. Underpinning it all is a desire to teach the public about the links between the sea and the Earth's climate.

WHEN

28 - 30 October, 10am - 5pm

WHERE

Events at the National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark

Natalia Kapchuk: The Lost Planet exhibition, Covent Garden

Step inside the climate-focused world of Russian-born, London-based artist Natalia Kapchuk whose exhibition The Lost Planet hopes to highlight the plight of the planet through an immersive courtyard depicting a world overrun by non-biodegradable rubbish and an indoor exhibition of circular works – for sale – made of naturally-sourced materials including fermented moss, sand and resi-crete. The exhibition is running in collaboration with leading environmental charities including Plastic Oceans Europe and Earthwatch Europe.

WHEN

Until October 27, 12pm - 8pm

WHERE

The Stables - Unit X, 40 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LH

Our Future Planet exhibition, Science Museum

If you’re yet to make a trip to the Science Museum’s ongoing Our Future Planet exhibition, let Cop26 be your inspiration to book. The free show explores the technologies being developed to remove carbon dioxide – the most significant cause of climate change – from the atmosphere, and questions to what extent this process of ‘carbon capture’ will benefit our battle with climate change. Far from being a dry affair, the exhibition is a visual balm and full of hope, especially an inspiring section dedicated to the methods being used to preserve ancient woodlands.

WHEN

Until September 2022

WHERE

Science Museum

Power to Change: Action Workshops, Tate Modern

At Tate Modern, a full day of workshops hopes to teach visitors how the effective reuse and recycling of materials can help protect the planet. Sessions include an illustration class asking guests to openly consider their own recycling habits; an upcycling workshop using reclaimed waste textiles and plastics; and a lesson in how choosing the right footwear can make a real impact in the climate struggle.

WHEN

30 October, 10am - 5:30pm

WHERE

Tate Modern

Sivan Rubinstein, Dance No 2. Photo: Jurga Ramonaite

Sivan Rubinstein, Dance No 2, The Place

As world leaders gather in Glasgow for Cop26, where they'll discuss, and perhaps even agree, urgent measures to reverse humanity's catastrophic contribution to climate change and its destructive impact on the planet, a much smaller meditation on human beings' connection with the earth comes to The Place in the shape of Sivan Rubinstein's Dance No 2.

WHEN

02 Nov 2021 – 03 Nov 2021, 19:30 Dur.: 60 mins

WHERE

The Place
17 Duke's Road, London, WC1H 9PY

Pigfoot Theatre: How to Save a Rock, various locations

Its members might be young, but Pigfoot Theatre company has been a shining example to the industry since going carbon-neutral in 2018. Now, the award-winning company, dedicated to making work to and for those affected by the climate crisis, is bringing its acclaimed show How to Save a Rock to three outdoor locations in London. One for audiences of all ages, the show is set in 2026, when a letter is found from the last ever polar bear, who has ended up in Scotland and is in need of saving. More impressive than the story is its execution: the show’s lighting is powered by a bike cycled live on stage, while all materials used in it are recycled and recyclable.

WHEN

28, 30 & 31 October, times vary

WHERE

The Story Garden, Eccleston Yards and Grosvenor Square

Festival and vigil for Cop26, St James's Piccadilly

At St James’s Church in Piccadilly, an afternoon of climate-focused arts events – including a poetry workshop, a musical celebration and an art sale – precedes a night of sleeping rough in the courtyard in solidarity with those already impacted by the climate crisis. An interfaith vigil will be held from 6pm, and an hourly programme of meditations, readings and music will keep restless sleepers company through the night. Those looking to sleep over should bring warm clothing, a sleeping bag and register in advance. Soup and bread, overnight snacks and breakfast in the morning are all provided, and an open fire will provide some warmth for those kipping under the night's sky.

WHEN

31 October, 1pm - 1 November, 8am

WHERE

St James's Church, Piccadilly

DanceWest Climate Festival, Lyric Hammersmith

DanceWest, a charity which promotes dance for all and runs classes out of its base at the Lyric Hammersmith theatre, is hosting a one-day climate carnival comprising five dance workshops. Each workshop is suitable for a different age group and has an environmental message at its core. Little ones aged five and under will explore themes of the weather; kids aged six – 11 will be asked to think about the materials they use; and adults aged 55+ and up will focus on adapting to climate change.

WHEN

28 October, 9:30am - 3pm

WHERE

Lyric Hammersmith

Festival of Sustainability, Barbican Centre

While for individuals, striving to live sustainably often comes down to the decisions we make about what we do and don’t buy, for the big architecture and construction companies designing tomorrow’s cityscape, the commitment to a greener future must be implemented at every turn. Head to the Barbican Centre for a night of pondering what this might look like, with talks from firms including The World Land Trust, Planq, Woodalls Design and Make Architects.

WHEN

27 October, 6pm - 10pm

WHERE

Barbican Centre

Surplus food sculptures on the South Bank

Stroll along the South Bank opposite Westminster and you can’t miss them: three giant sculptures depicting three of the UK’s most wasted food items, potato, milk and bread. Behind the installations is surplus food app Too Good To Go, which is hoping to put pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to add food waste to the COP26 agenda. Those who pause to reflect on the sculptures will be asked to sign a petition in support of the cause.

WHEN

27 - 29 October

WHERE

South Bank

Cop26 side events happening in London

We Are History, Somerset House

Ice Worlds Festival, National Maritime Museum

Natalia Kapchuk: The Lost Planet exhibition, Covent Garden

Our Future Planet exhibition, Science Museum

Power to Change: Action Workshops, Tate Modern

Sivan Rubinstein, Dance No 2, The Place

Pigfoot Theatre: How to Save a Rock, various locations

Festival and vigil for Cop26, St James's Piccadilly

DanceWest Climate Festival, Lyric Hammersmith

Festival of Sustainability, Barbican Centre

Surplus food sculptures on the South Bank

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