Most people want to see more action on the climate crisis, and we have most of the technology we need to combat it. But after three decades of COP climate summits, the crisis is accelerating: climate, food security, biodiversity, pollution, inequality, and more. What, exactly, has been holding us back? In his talk, just as he does in his book, Mike Berners-Lee will look at this challenge from new angles, standing further back to gain perspective; digging deeper under the surface to see the root causes; joining up every element of the challenge; and learning lessons from our failures of the past. He will spell out why, if humanity is to thrive in the future, the most critical step is to raise standards of honesty in our politics, our media, and our businesses.

Mike Berners-Lee is known as a world-leading expert in carbon accounting. An expert in sustainability, he is a professor at Lancaster University, and the founder and director of Small World Consulting, which is a world leader in the field of supply chain carbon metrics and management. As a passionate communicator, Mike has also been featured in TV documentaries, including ‘Horizon: Feast to Save the Planet’ on BBC 2, ‘Climate Change – The Facts’ on BBC1 and numerous podcast episodes. He regularly writes for print and online media and does speaking events. In 2025 he was awarded the Planet Earth Award by the Alliance of World Scientists.

The author of three previous best-sellers, There Is No Planet B; The Burning Question, and How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything. Mike’s fourth book, A Climate of Truth, was published in March this year.

With thanks to Architects Plus for sponsoring this event.

Event starts at 4pm. Seating is unreserved and doors will open 20 minutes before an event.

The festival bookshop is run by Bookends, Carlisle’s independent bookshop.

For queries, email borderlinescarlisle@gmail.com

This event is part of the Borderlines Carlisle Book Festival.