Climate Breakdown - What Now?

Join Stroud Radical Reading Group to hear from author-activist Nicholas Beuret and local activist Jo Woolfall, and discuss ideas about how our movements can prepare and respond to our changing world.

Entry to the event is free and everyone is welcome. We'll collect donations to cover the costs of the venue.

Nic Beuret argues that "Greening the economy has become a one-sided war, as governments and businesses squeeze the living standards of ordinary people” in his book “Or Something Worse: Why We Need to Disrupt the Climate Transition”. He follows those already fighting back through ‘don’t pay’ campaigns, blockades of fossil-fuel infrastructure, and community counter-planning. He shows we have the tools not only to stop climate change but to build a fairer future, one where we “seize control of the transition in order to reshape it to equitable ends."

We're really pleased to have Nic visit us in Stroud. Usually our reading group sessions are for readers to discuss books, but this will be a different event with Nic introducing his book, followed by questions and discussion.

We’ll also hear from Jo Woolfall, who lives in Stroud and was part of a small team who co-founded XR Families. Jo has been exploring deliberative democracy as a key mechanism for unlocking power and action. She will speak about the formation of the "Lifehouse – Collapse Preparing Comunities Network", inspired by Adam Greenfield’s book "Lifehouse: Taking Care of Ourselves in a World on Fire". A local group has been in the thinking and planning for nearly three years, and are moving into learning by doing in 2026 - with a focus on core elements of which are Lifehouse centres, mutual aid networks, deliberative democracy and implementation networks.

You do not need to have attended previous sessions, and we do our best to make the sessions welcoming to people who have not been to reading groups or similar settings like university seminars before. We encourage people to read one of the two books if possible, but you are welcome to attend to listen to the talks and discussion without reading any of either.

On our website, you can find a link to buy the books at a discount, and free text, audio/visual resources. There is also more information about the books, speakers, and Stroud Radical Reading Group events.

The venue for this session is Redz Youth Hub, a hub for organising, creativity, and community building. It’s a free space for young people to host their own events, workshops, and meetups. They’ve been hosting sessions by Mutiny: Stroud’s Youth Assembly and The RYSE – the Radical Youth Space for Educations.

Redz is in central Stroud, on Threadneedle St, close to the train station and bus station, with nearby stands to lock bikes, and parking for cars nearby at Fawkes Place or Church St car park. There is step-free access to the ground floor where we will meet. There is a toilet, and some comfortable seating as well as basic folding chairs. Please get in touch if you’d like to get more of an idea of what the sessions are like or if you have any accessibility needs.

There is an opportunity for more informal discussion after the session in the Ale House pub (around the corner) for anyone who wants to continue chatting after 9.30pm.

There’ll be lots of time for questions and discussion of both the talks and the books.

Also check out other Arts events in Stroud, Workshops in Stroud, Literary Art events in Stroud.