So I was debating whether to actually publish this, seeing as the festival happened over a month ago, but you know what, I’m going to do it anyway. Better late than never!
Set in the stunning location of The Meadows in Edinburgh, this years Climate Festival proved to be the best one yet! A free and family friendly festival focusing on living sustainably, it offered activities including upcycling and repairing your old clothing and personal items, yoga, food growing, storytelling and bike rides. There was also a delicious array of local food stalls to keep you going throughout the day. I chose some vegan noodles from a Japanese street food stall and I can honestly say they were the nicest noodles I’ve ever tasted.
Entertainment was also provided with speakers and bands gracing the main stage. Scottish musicians such as the Sandy Brechin band, the Hi-Hats and the anti-folk, post-punk 5 piece group, The Victor Pope band got the crowd going with their mix of covers and original pieces of music.
Along with the fun, a more serious note was still present. The aim of the annual festival is to raise awareness of climate change, a force that is having a dramatic impact on our day to day lives and our ecosystem. The festival promotes alternative ways of living that will help to lower our carbon footprint and if done collectively will help to slow the rate at which climate change is occurring. Sustainable and community organisations are given a space where they can encourage people to get involved. Some I enjoyed talking to were Fashion Revolution who are an organisation formed after the tragic Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. They campaign for better transparency in the fashion supply chain and use the famous #whomademyclothes slogan to demand that brands are truthful about where their clothes are being made and that workers are being treated and paid fairly. I also had an inspiring chat with a member of the well-known international activist group Extinction Rebellion who are demanding that individuals and the government take action and declare a climate emergency.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent at this festival and I left feeling empowered and encouraged to do my bit in saving the planet. I feel next years will be even bigger and better and I would definitely recommend sparing an hour or two to pop along to it next year.
Katie x
Luna Kay 