In this thought-provoking presentation, Professor Barry will explore the capitalist causes of the global climate and ecological emergency, arguing we need radical economic transformation to protect the planet's life supporting systems.

Humanists have a long history of climate and environmental activism. As our international movement recognised in the 2019 Reykjavik Declaration “Human beings are part of the natural world, but have a disproportionate effect on the global environment and biodiversity. Throughout history, our species has used the natural world to increase individual and collective wellbeing, and the impact we have is no longer sustainable.”

Please join Bangor Humanists for this enlightening, and likely challenging talk, which promises to stimulate thought and inspire action towards a more sustainable and just future.

Professor Barry will argue capitalist frameworks are systemically inadequate in responding to environmental degradation and climate change. Drawing on his extensive research and critical insights, he will explore conflicts between continuous economic growth and the finite resources of our planet.

John Barry is Professor of Green Political Economy and Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at Queens University Belfast. He is also Co-Chair of the Belfast Climate Commission. He was a driving force behind an all-Ireland Green Party and previous joint leader of the party in Northern Ireland.