Joycelyn Longdon: Natural Connection

Natural Connection, a lyrical, deeply researched and original work of narrative non-fiction by University of Cambridge environmental justice, AI and bioacoustics researcher and educator Joycelyn Longdon, illuminates the wondrous awe of the natural world and reveals how marginalised communities and ancient wisdom help us create a sustainable mindset and future for generations to come.

When considering environmental action, many of us view ourselves through the binary of activist or observer. Here, Longdon shows there are many paths to drive positive change, and embracing rage, imagination, innovation, theory, healing and care as outlooks can fuel the wider movement. Rooted in Longdon’s cutting-edge research and featuring contributions from key voices such as Robert Macfarlane, Miranda Lowe, Katherine May and Rebecca Solnit, this is an invitation to approach environmental action as a shared goal rather than an individual burden.

This book celebrate the histories and extraordinary acts of ordinary people who have paved the way for today’s environmental change, such as the Chipko women of India – the original ‘tree huggers’, who pioneered direct action in their communities to combat deforestation – and Nigeria’s Ogoni 9, who fought the threat of fossil fuel extraction in the Delta region. Bringing together inspiring stories from marginalised people from the US to the UK, Brazil to Iran, Ghana to Ethiopia, Longdon roots us in our intrinsic connection with nature and celebrates the power of community.

EVENT FORMAT & INFORMATION

• The doors will open at 19:00 
• From 19:00-19:30 attendees will arrive and find a seat.
• From 19:30 - 20:20 the speakers will talk from the front of the room. 
• From 20:20-21:00 there will be a Q+A with the audience where participation is optional.
• The event will finish at 21:00 although attendees can leave at any time.
• During the event attendees will be expected to sit and listen although if they need to get up to use the toilet that is fine. If attendees need to stand or move around while listening that is also fine and there is space at the back to do this. 
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ACCESSIBILITY

• Accessibility information about the Showroom Workstation can be found here
• Seating: Unreserved seating is available at this event, but if you’d like us to reserve a seat for you or you have specific requirements, please get in touch.
• Masks: FFP2 masks will be available for free.
• Audio: Microphones will be used at this event.
• Quiet space: There is not a dedicated quiet space available at this event however there is a public lobby area with seating separate from the event space.
• If you have any questions regarding accessibility for this event, please feel free to contact us at access@weareopus.org.