Ebor Lecture: Professor Rupert Read explores climate change emergency

Spiritual orientation, climate chaos and reconnecting with nature will all be under the microscope in the first Ebor Lecture of 2024.

Professor Rupert Read, Co-Director of the Climate Majority Project and Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia, will share his thoughts on eco-spirituality in his Ebor Spring lecture, Earth-Hope, at York St John University on Wednesday 8 May. 
 
Professor Read has been a spokesperson and political strategist for Extinction Rebellion and a spokesperson, national parliamentary candidate, European parliamentary candidate and councillor for the Green Party of England and Wales. The author of a number of books, his most recent is The Climate Majority Project: Setting the Stage for a Mainstream, Urgent Climate Movement.  
 
Founded in 2006, the Ebor Lectures in Theology and Public Life provide a free space to get people talking and thinking about issues of public life, religious beliefs and the world around us.     
 
The Lectures have welcomed speakers including archbishops, cabinet ministers, social activists, journalists, astronomers, peace-workers, authors and many others.   
 
Professor Read said: “I’m very much looking forward to coming to York to give the Ebor Lecture on the topic of eco-spirituality, which is going to be a vital component of how we get through the coming troubled times.  
 
“As the ecological crisis intensifies, which it will do for a considerable time to come, more and more people are going to come to recognise what is being desecrated: that is, its sacredness not being respected.  
 
“This recognition and recovered respect, and the enormous potential of connecting both with the difficult emotions that inevitably then arise and the reconnecting with nature itself that follows, will be my topic in the lecture.” 
 
Professor Esther McIntosh, Director of the Centre for Religion in Society at York St John University, said: “For the second event since our relaunch of the Ebor Lectures in the autumn, we are privileged to welcome Professor Read to York St John University. 

“Rupert’s influential activism has forced the government to acknowledge the climate change emergency. At this crucial time in the history of the planet Earth, we are eager to hear Rupert’s vision of hope for the future and how we can be a part of it.

“We invite the public to come and join in the engaging conversations sparked by the Ebor Lecture series. These cultural events are designed to inspire and motivate our audiences. They offer something for everyone and are a unique opportunity to interact with ideas, people, and the community in a meaningful way. With thanks to all our Ebor partners for their continuing support.”

Professor Read’s lecture takes place on Wednesday 8 May at 5.00pm in York St John University’s Creative Centre, followed by a drinks reception at 6.00pm. Book via Eventbrite.

The event will also be streamed online.

The lectures are also recorded and hosted on the York St John University Events YouTube channel under the Centre for Religion in Society playlist.

The Ebor Lectures are an ecumenical project jointly sponsored and organised by the following:  

• York Minster 

• York St John University 

• The Methodist Church (Yorkshire North and East District) 

• The C. & J. B. Morrell Trust  

• York Area Society of Friends (Quakers). 

Read more about the Ebor Lectures