Humber Eco Fest takes place across all four local authorities of the Humber from 22 October to 11 November 2023.
The brand-new festival, conceived and led by Festival Director Alan Raw, will shine the spotlight on the growing raft of environmental activity taking place across the Humber region at a grassroots level.
Organisers invited a broad range of eco projects - and supportive organisations - across Hull, the East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North-East Lincolnshire to run an event where they are based to show what they do.
Opening on 21st October with many launch events around the Humber’s four local authorities, and an official “Lift Off Community Day”, featuring speakers, sustainably made pizza, stalls and live music, at Hull’s urban farm “Rooted in Hull on Sunday 22nd. The festival will then continue to celebrate the sustainable projects around the Humber, with over 90 opportunities to join in for 21 days.
● The return of the Hull Independent Photography Festival (HIPFEST) with a sustainability theme, encompassing 8 exhibitions both international & local, plus nature photo walks and 16 climate photography talks and workshops. The headline show is the international “Faces of Climate Change” exhibition with over 70 countries taking part. We will be revealing the FoCC winners for 2023 on the exhibition opening night in Hull, 27th October.
● The Hull Friends of the Earth’s Green Fair in Cottingham with indoor and outdoor activities for all.
● The Totally Locally Brigg Eco Fair, with lots to join in with
● The Big Festival Beach Clean with Plastic-Free Hornsea, all welcome!
● A Zero Waste Supper in Scunthorpe
● An Eco Quiz Night in Burstwick
● Family Forest School Open Days at The Happy Homestead in Messingham and The Life Skills Hub in Preston.
● A bicycle ride from Hull to Barton, connecting the North & South Bank communities.
Active Humber are supporting the 'One River: One Community’ Cycle Ride, from Queen Victoria Square in Hull crossing the Humber Bridge to Far Ings Nature Reserve (with options to join along the way for a shorter route), from 10am on Saturday 28th October. Discover more about the route here.
Plus much, much more over the 21 days. The festivities end at Hull Central Library on 11th November with the Humber Eco Fest Conference, coordinated by Sustainability and Beyond, and supported by Hull Culture & Leisure, featuring an impressive line-up of speakers from the Association of Sustainability Practitioners, PATT Foundation, Hull Friends of The Earth, Active Humber, and many more both locally and, participating on Zoom globally. Pan Galactic is the festival’s Enabling Partner for Green Technology and will be presenting their team-mate Silviu Pirvu FRSA with his satellite/AI initiative for sustainable planning, named Optimal Cities. In September Silviu presented his satellite modelling of Hull to the UN General Assembly, Science Summit, and now he is bringing this tech to the community, supported by the European Space Agency.
Humber Eco Fest gives green groups and individuals from Barton to Bridlington, Grimsby to Goole, Howden to Hull and Scunthorpe to Spurn the opportunity not only to demonstrate what they are doing to help safeguard the planet but also to inform, inspire and include a wider range of supporters.
And that’s not all: the role of the arts in raising awareness of climate change, the biodiversity crisis and social justice issues is also a strong theme running through the festival, with a lot of exhibitions including What Makes the Humber, Climate Migration Solidarity, Good Technology, I Am Impact, and the opening of the “Faces of Climate Change” exhibition 2023.
Individuals, families, schools and other groups can take their pick in learning about repair cafes and the Library of Stuff, wind power, and how to grow food. They can choose artistic inspiration, stimulating talks, join a bicycle ride, skate, or simply enjoy nature and walks in our beautiful surroundings taking pictures.
From nature photography to organic pumpkin-picking, forest schools to tree planting, eco art exhibitions, green technology experiences in the Makerspace, family fun in the forest and Halloween on the allotment, there really is something for everyone.
As well as building awareness of climate change and what volunteers and others are doing locally to mitigate its effects, Humber Eco Fest aims to encourage greater participation in grassroots activities by inspiring more people to get actively involved, whether by joining in or starting something new.
“The global news media traditionally focus on reporting political conflicts, natural disasters and other dangers we need to be aware of, and many campaign groups also focus on raising the alarm about the escalating climate crisis.
“But while we – and all of nature – face multiple, major challenges, thousands of people are already pushing back against the poly-crisis, turning their anxiety into positive action, with imagination, green innovation and creative community projects, backed by a global online community of skilled supporters.
“Humber Eco Fest is your chance to meet, learn and share your story with this positive community of resilience and care.”
Gwyn Jones, Director of the Association of Sustainability Practitioners (ASP), said:
“ASP is proud to be supporting the Humber Eco Fest to celebrate how people from the region are taking positive action in the face of climate impact.
“Our members from many countries will contribute online and in-person talks and workshops on a range of subjects that aim to raise awareness and promote initiatives and solutions that will both mitigate and adapt to the predicted impacts of climate change for individuals and communities.
“We see this Festival as a positive statement of what people can do to shape the future for themselves and their children for decades to come. Hopefully, it will inspire people from many other communities across the UK and beyond to continue to act."
Amie Alissa Watson of Slow Circular Earth in North Lincs said:
“Slow Circular Earth is excited to be part of the inaugural Humber Eco Fest, where we will join hands with like-minded organisations and individuals to spotlight community action in tackling the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
“Together, we're demonstrating the art of the possible, taking matters into our own hands, and showing those in power that we're all in this together.”
Claire Gribben, Hull Friends of the Earth coordinator, said:
“Hull Friends of the Earth are excited to be part of the Humber Eco Festival. The climate and biodiversity crisis can seem overwhelming, but if you look at it against the backdrop of the hundreds of inspiring activities that are happening just on our doorstep it feels much more positive.
“We are part of a wonderful community and network of people, and by celebrating those good things we have an amazing opportunity to make a difference together.”
So if you’re worried about climate change, but don’t know what to do, Humber Eco Fest is just for you.
