Can Digital Agencies Save The Planet? Leeds Digital Festival 2020
Those of you who know me will know that I’m passionate about environmentalism, and very concerned about the future health and habitability of our natural world. As well as using my creative design skills to help those on an ethical or environmental mission, I try to do what I can to promote climate awareness and positive environmental action in any way I can.
So on 27th April 2020 I asked the question "Can Digital Agencies Save The Planet?" as part of the amazing Leeds Digital Festival series of events, celebrating tech and bringing the community together.
Leeds is ready for change.
This online event asked what our role as digital professionals, designer, developers, and marketers, have when faced with the current Climate Emergency. We know that business as usual cannot go on, so how can we change our working lives to respond to this impending ecological disaster, and how should we change as a creative industry? Over 150 people registered to the event, and the audience were extremely engaged - there is a real appetite for change in Leeds.
We brought experts from design, marketing, PR, and sustainability sectors together to discuss how we can create a more sustainable - and eventually a carbon-neutral - creative digital industry that is positively contributes to the planet.
“Whilst we can’t do everything on our own, I certainly think digital agencies and creative designers have an important part to play in addressing climate change. And given our vast skillsets and resources, it would be a huge missed opportunity if we didn’t at least try.”
I was privileged to be joined by some expert speakers from across industries who gave their unique insight and perspective on how to address the climate emergency and how we can use our skills, resources, and businesses as a force for good.
Watch the event recording.
Download the presentation pack and get all the speakers slides.
Speakers included:
Will Saunders, Good Will Studios
James Bate, Bulb Energy
Sara Hawthorn, InFusion Comms
Ben Tongue, NHS Digital
Fiona Bradley, FB Comms
Rob Greenland, Zero Waste Leeds
Jess Wiles, Hubbub
This event was the first in what I hope to be a ongoing series of events, discussions, and workshops that bring the creative digital community together to figure out a unified response to the environmental challenges facing us.
Get involved in climate action!
To take part in this important conversation, join the Facebook group today and get involved with the Sustainable Agencies initiative as we strive to make the creative digital industry greener and use our skills and resources to communicate a climate message that drives action and positive change.