Literary event highlights species under threat
Some of the world’s most famous writers came together for a global literary event.
The University of Sunderland’s Dr Alex Lockwood organised the get-together as part of Lost Species Day, to bring attention to the number of animal species currently threatened by extinction.
The On the Brink event, held last Monday, featured w r i te r s i n c lud i n g B o o ke r Prize winner Margaret Atwood and Harry Potter star Dame Emma Thompson.
Other performers were eco-activist and model Lily Cole, plus writers Ben Okri, Amitav Ghosh and Elizabeth Kolbert.
Dr Lockwood, a novelist and creative writer, said: “The role of the creative writer can be crucial in making people aware of the plight of our fellow beings on this planet during this climate and ecological emergency. Stories matter in how we relate to and protect the planet.
“On Lost Species Day, I felt it necessary to bring together some of the world’s most wellknown writers to lend their platforms to this urgent issue.
“It’s been quite a ride getting some of the most famous names in literature together across five continents in the middle of a pandemic.
“Perhaps the most nervy moment was speaking on the phone with Margaret Atwood to confirm her appearance while having a Covid-19 swab test up my nose.”
Dame Emma Thompson, who read a piece about the threatened puffin, said: “A good way of coping with the grief of losing so many species from our planet is to celebrate the ones we have left and make sure they survive.
"This was for all wildlife activists and especially those who have lost their lives in the battle to safeguard our precious diversity of life.”