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Rosa, a Natural Sciences student at Lucy, produces documentary series ‘Careers to Solve the Climate Crisis’
The six short films showcase the range of green careers available to young people that will be critical to achieve net zero by 2050, and their role in being part of a green recovery, highlighting the need for people to come together across different sectors to tackle the climate crisis.
The films are inspirational, motivational and moving, including interviewees such as Caroline Lucas, a Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, Nigel Topping, the UK’s High-Level Climate Action Champion, William Baldwin-Cantello, Director of Nature-Based Solutions at WWF-UK, and Mya-Rose Craig (popularly known as ‘Birdgirl’) a prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, and diversity activist.
The film series launched on the Cambridge Zero YouTube channel on 3rd November.
The series' final episode premiered at COP’s ‘Green Career Pathways’ event on Sunday 7th November, chaired by Professor Dave Reay, and organised by University of Edinburgh, with participation from the UK Government and the COP26 Universities Network.
Rosa began the project this summer as part of a Cambridge Zero internship:
“I spent this summer working for Cambridge Zero, filming and producing a series for them on the careers we need to tackle the climate crisis. When it was confirmed that my films would be shown at COP26 I was a little bit speechless. To be part of such a historical event is a massive privilege and feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m excited to head up to Glasgow later this week and experience the atmosphere for myself. And obviously watching my films in person will be very surreal! ”
“I’m hoping that any young people watching these films will feel inspired that they do matter. I think so often when we think about the climate emergency it is quite easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed, and think that we can’t make a difference because the problem is so daunting. But the biggest thing I have learnt from making this film series is that everyone matters in this fight, and one crucial way young people can make a difference is simply through their career choices.” she adds.
“Going forward I definitely want to continue making films with the aim of inspiring people to join in with the fight against climate change. I feel that film can be so powerful and I am excited to pursue this for my own career!”
Episode one introduces the concepts of net-zero and a green recovery and addresses how young people can take an active role in the transition to net-zero by using their career choices.
Episode two, “The Public Sector”, addresses how the public sector can lead the way to a decarbonised economy in our fight to tackle the climate crisis.
Episode three, “The Built Environment”, looks at the various careers required to decarbonise the construction sector and highlights the importance of involving young people in this process.
Episode four, “Nature-Based Solutions”, explores the potential for nature-based solutions to combat the climate crisis and the role jobs can play in a green economic recovery.
Episode five, “Creativity and Innovation”, addressed the need for creative thinking when it comes to finding new solutions to tackle the climate emergency.
Episode six, “Inspiring Hope”, emphasises the take-home message from the series – that young people can take an active role in the transition to net-zero through their career choices, and should feel empowered to do so across all sectors.
For more information, please visit: https://www.zero.cam.ac.uk/stories/careers-solve-climate-crisis-watching-details
About COP26
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021.
The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.