Rundown of the Climate Story Lab Lagos
Climate Story Lab Lagos: Surge Africa's Impactful Journey Towards a Sustainable Future Lagos, Nigeria
Surge Africa proudly reflects on its remarkable journey at Climate Story Lab Lagos, a transformative event that has left a lasting impact on the climate and environmental justice landscape in Nigeria. In collaboration with the Heinrich Boell Foundation and GSCC - Nigeria, we embarked on this two-day adventure that has redefined the role of storytelling and creativity in addressing pressing climate challenges.
Climate Story Lab Lagos gathered visionaries, creatives, civil society members, policymakers, academics, and other prominent figures within the creative and climate sector to engage in profound discussions. Together, we explored this important question: What are the stories we must tell right now to ignite action on climate and environmental justice in our communities?
The Journey
Day 1 - Immersive Creative Experience: Day one immersed us in a world where creativity meets activism. It showcased short films, documentaries, visual stories, and more. These creative expressions ignited conversations about the intersection of the climate crisis with societal issues like poverty, climate-induced extreme weather events, and governance challenges. We discovered the incredible power of media and creativity to inspire innovative solutions to our world's most pressing problems. The day encompasses panel discussions on impact storytelling and climate narratives, cultural practices in environmental advocacy, and the screening of two films that drive climate action titled “Thank You for the Rain” and “An Insignificant Man”. The day ended with an open discussion on creative climate advocacy, resource access, and taking the ownership of African narratives.
Day 2 - Solutions That Culminate Transformative Change: The second day delved deep into the heart of environmental justice concerns in Lagos and the broader Nigerian context. Discussions revolved around flooding, rapid and inclusive urbanization, overpopulation, and other social issues. This day was about solutions—thought-provoking, actionable solutions that emerged from the brightest minds in the climate space.
The day comprises talks about the significance of data in climate advocacy and storytelling, the influence of global narratives on local struggles, and a dynamic cultural performance. The day wrapped up with an interactive session where the audience contributed ideas on strengthening the African narrative for climate action, followed by a reflective segment outlining future actions.
Key Outcomes
Strategic Partnerships: Surge Africa is thrilled to announce that we have forged new and valuable partnerships as a result of Climate Story Lab Lagos. These partnerships transcend the event itself and will continue to drive impactful change in the near future. Together, we will address climate and environmental justice challenges head-on.
Promotion of Creativity in the Climate Sector: Surge Africa is committed to nurturing creativity as a catalyst for change. The creativity witnessed at Climate Story Lab Lagos has reinforced our belief in the innovative potential of art, storytelling, and technology in addressing climate challenges.
Impactful Narratives: The event reinforced the idea that storytelling has the power to reshape narratives. Surge Africa's work in policy advocacy, media engagement, and resilience building finds resonance in the narrative shift initiated at the lab. We are committed to advocating for environmental justice through powerful storytelling and media impact.
The Significance
Climate Story Lab Lagos was more than an event; it was a catalyst for change. It showed us that climate action goes beyond statistics and reports—it's about people, stories, and the transformative power of creativity. We witnessed the birth of new ideas, the strengthening of our commitment to environmental justice, and the forging of bonds that will propel us forward}
As Ifeoma Malo, CEO - Clean Technology Hub eloquently reminded us, "People will change and can change if they hear the right stories." This event underscores the transformative power of storytelling to effect positive change. In resonance, Emily Wanja, Africa Director - Doc Society, iterated the power of unity towards climate action, stating that, "In every forum, remarkable storytellers gather. If you're not part of it, extend the invitation. Let's build diverse platforms for impactful storytelling and broaden its reach."
The Climate Story Lab Lagos has indeed amplified the voices of storytellers, uniting them in a common cause to address climate change and environmental justice. It's a testament to the potential of inclusive, impactful storytelling to reshape the climate narrative and drive real-world solutions.
The Road Ahead
Surge Africa is energized by the outcomes of Climate Story Lab Lagos. As we move forward, we are dedicated to:
Strengthening our partnerships to drive impactful change.
Nurturing and promoting creativity in the climate sector.
Amplifying our advocacy efforts through impactful narratives.
We believe that together, we can create a more sustainable, just, and climate-resilient world. Our commitment to protecting vulnerable people and the planet remains unwavering.
For media inquiries, please contact: info@surgeafrica.org
