York Festival of Ideas tackles chemical pollution in Yorkshire’s rivers
Exhibition and panel explore the ‘silent crisis’ in waterways
York Festival of Ideas is set to confront the issue of chemical pollution in the region's rivers. As part of the Festival Focus series, 'Reclaiming Our Rivers,' the event brings scientific insights to the forefront through a multimedia exhibition and a panel discussion.
The free multimedia exhibition, Confluence for Change, runs daily from 11am to 4pm throughout the festival at Sliding Water, Marygate, York. Created by photographer William Joshua Templeton, audio-visual artist George Hiraoka Cloke, and environmental scientist Alistair Boxall of the University of York, the exhibition blends striking visual art with immersive audio, revealing the invisible chemical burdens affecting waterways.
Professor Alistair Boxall emphasised the urgency of the issue, stating, "Our rivers are currently facing an unprecedented chemical burden that often goes unnoticed because it cannot be seen with the naked eye."
"Through the ECOMIX project we are investigating how mixtures of chemicals in rivers interact and impact our ecosystems. This event will share the science with the public in a novel and engaging way and promote discussion on how we can collectively restore the health of Yorkshire's waterways."
The panel discussion, The Future’s in Our Hands: Reclaiming our rivers, will take place at the University of York’s Campus East on 6th June, from 4.30pm to 6pm. Speakers, including ecologist Sir John Lawton, MP Rachael Maskell, Marie Taylor of the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, and campaigner Amy-Jane Beer, will offer actionable solutions for river restoration and protection.
York Festival of Ideas spans from 30th May to 12th June under the theme of Place and Space, supported by various organisations including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Yorkshire Water.