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Reading Climate Festival 2023 has now finished. Thank you to everyone who participated. This page will soon be updated with details of Reading Climate Festival 2024 and how you can get involved.

Reading Climate Festival

10–21 June 2023

The University of Reading is working with Reading Climate Action Network, Reading’s Economic and Development Agency, and Reading Borough Council on this year's programme. It features live and online events to inspire action on climate change.

Highlights include:

Luke Jerram's Gaia

10–18 June 2023

Experience Luke Jerram's world-famous Gaia, an immersive art installation featuring a huge representation of Planet Earth, floating within Reading's iconic Concert Hall.

Featuring a compelling soundscape from BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones, Gaia is a visual representation of the fragility and beauty of the earth.

More information on Gaia

Gaia created by Luke Jerram from NASA imagery, with sound by Dan Jones, and created for Reading Climate Festival 2023.
Laura Tobin, Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, broadcast meteorologist, and University of Reading alumna.

In conversation with Laura Tobin

Tuesday 13 June 2023

Everyday Ways to Save our Planet

Climate Ambassador, Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, University of Reading Alumna, and broadcast meteorologist Laura Tobin has been campaigning to raise awareness of climate change for the past 10 years.

Join us with a backdrop of the awe-inspiring Gaia installation to hear more about Laura’s experience and her practical advice on ways a busy household can make the small changes that add up to a big difference for the planet.

More information on the Laura Tobin event

Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West and President of COP26

Alok Sharma introduces panel debate

Thursday 15 June 2023

Empowering young people to tackle the greatest challenge of their generation

Climate change is the defining crisis of our generation, and it will be the lived reality for generations to come. 

Join The Rt Hon. Sir Alok Sharma, Tom Clarke (Sky News) and a panel of climate experts for a lively debate on how to better enable and empower young people to tackle the challenges of the changing climate and decline in the natural world.

More information on the panel debate

Climate Festival events

Date  Event and booking link Venue Ticket price
Sat 10 - Sun 18 June, Various Luke Jerram's Gaia + exhibition Reading Town Hall £2/Free
Sat 10 June, 12:00 Kidical Mass Bike Ride Thames Lido to Water Fest Free
Sat 10 & Sun 11 June, 11:00 Water Fest Forbury Gardens Free
Sat 10 June, 18:00 Green Park Wind Turbine Tour Green Park Free
Sat 10- Sun 11 June 11:00-18:00 Whiteknights Studio Trail Museum of English Rural Life Free
Mon 12 - Tue 20 June, Various Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop TBA Free
Mon 12 June, 18:00 Creativity, the Climate and Me Online Free
Mon 12 June, 19:00 Rewilding for Biodiversity and Climate Resiliance Online Free
Mon 12 June, 20:00 Reducing Energy Bills by Creating Warmer Homes Online Free
Tue 13 June, 09:00 Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop TBA Free
Tue 13 June, 11.00 Our Green Stories Tour Museum of English Rural Life Free
Tue 13 June, 17:00 Low Carbon Retrofitting Homes Online Free
Tue 13 June, 18:00 Green Park Wind Turbine Tours Green Park Free
Tue 13 June, 19:00 Everyday Ways to Save our Planet: In Conversation with Laura Tobin Reading Concert Hall Free
Wed 14 June, 13:00 Climate Anxiety Workshop Reading Central Library Free
Wed 14 June, 14:00 Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop TBA Free
Wed 14 Jun, 14:00 Institute of Education Showcase for Climate and Sustainability Education UoR London Road campus Free
Wed 14 June, 19:30 Fashion Re-imagined: Film and Q&A Reading Biscuit Factory Free
Wed 14 June, 20:00 Warm Homes for Reading Campaign Online Free
Thu 15 June Clean Air Day    
Thu 15 June, 08:30 Net Zero Reporting Fundamentals Crowe UK Free
Thu 15 June, 12:30 Protect Your Small Business from Climate Change Online Free
Thu 15 June, 13:00 Gentle Yoga and Gaia Gong Bath Journey Reading Concert Hall £15:00, £10.00
Thu 15 June, 20:00 Empowering young people to tackle the greatest challenge of their generation: Panel Debate Reading Concert Hall Free
Thu 15 June, 20:00 Converting Heating Systems to Heat Pumps Online Free
Fri 16 June, 13:00 Ray Mears: The World Around Us Reading Concert Hall £15.00
Fri 16 June, 13:30 Wild Things Workshop Town Hall Square Free
Sat 17 June, 10:30 Rhyme Time: Teddies Music Club Reading Concert Hall Free
Sat 17 June, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Junk Instrument Making Reading Concert Hall Free
Sat 17 June, 14:15 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Junk Samba Band Reading Concert Hall Free
Sat 17 June, 15:00 Reading Climate Festival Parade Market Place Free
Sun 18 June, 10:00 Explore Reading's Kennet Meadows TBA Free
Sun 18 June, 12:30 Reading Repair Café Hackspace, Weldale Street Free
Sun 18 June, 12:00 Incredible Edible Reading TBA Free
Mon 19 June, 09:00 Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop TBA Free
Mon 19 June, 19.15-20.15 Green Park Wind Turbine Tour Green Park Free
Tue 20 June, 09:00 Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop TBA Free
Tue 20 June, 10:00 An 'A' for Effort: How Reading made the 'A' List for Climate Action Online Free
Tue 20 June, 16:00 Climate Education Workshop Online Free
Tue 20 June, 17:00 Decarbonising Energy in Reading Online Free
Tue 20 June, 19:00 Green Party Forum RISC Free
Wed 21 June Show Your Stripes Day    
Wed 21 June, 08:00 Show Your Stripes Day - Youth Climate Summit Select Car Leasing Stadium Free
Wed 21 June, 18:00 The Beginning The MERL Free
Wed 21 June, 19:00 Fungi on the Allotment Online Free

Find out more information about Reading Climate Festival

We're green in all sorts of ways
People & Planet University League
1st in the People & Planet University League 2023
The Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education 2021
Queens Anniversary Prize for climate research and action
Times Higher Education Awards 2023
Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership