Brighton College Vietnam extends heartfelt gratitude to all who joined this journey of discovery and dialogue in our BCVN’s Lecture #2: What’s happening to our planet?, delivered by Dr Cyrus Golding, Deputy Head of Senior School (Academic). 

This inspiring lecture served as an urgent call to action, presenting eye-opening insights about the state of our planet:

• Carbon dioxide levels have soared to their highest in 800,000 years (~420 ppm), surpassing historical norms since ~1950.
• Earth’s temperature has risen by 1.2–1.3°C above pre-industrial levels, with 2023 marked as the warmest year, pushing us dangerously close to the critical 1.5°C threshold.
• Over 1 million species are on the brink of extinction due to human activities and climate change.
• Climate-related damages have reached over $1.5 trillion USD globally in just five years. 

Through vivid storytelling and scientific insight, Dr Golding illustrated how rising CO₂ levels, natural disasters, and biodiversity loss are reshaping our planet. He also highlighted the ways communities worldwide are adapting and working toward a sustainable future. Central to this effort is the role of education, which he emphasised as the cornerstone of meaningful change. By fostering critical thinking and environmental awareness in younger generations, we can empower them to become tomorrow’s changemakers – innovators who drive sustainability, advocate for positive action, and build a greener, brighter future for all.

“So much about climate change is also about the story you tell. Is this a horror story? Or is there hope? In this lecture, I would like to create new questions, open up discussion about climate change and what can be done about it.“

Together, let us inspire curiosity, confidence, and kindness to pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.