A free public debate on 'Living With Environmental Change', sponsored by Research
Councils UK (RCUK), is being held at the Stoke Pub in Guildford on Wednesday 9th
September at 6.30pm.
Who takes responsibility for tackling environmental change is a topic that remains
hotly contested: should it be a role for government; should business be more involved;
or is it down to individuals and communities?
Join our panel as they discuss how environmental change, and how we deal with
it, may affect our daily lives:
- Truth or myth: how can we sort the facts from the fiction when it comes
to environmental change?
- What are the implications of moving to a low-carbon society for individuals
and businesses? How can science and technology help?
- Can we protect our natural and cultural heritage and still slow environmental
change?
Professor Andrew Watkinson, Director of the Living with Environmental Change
research programme, said: "It is hugely important that people engage with the issue
of environmental change and understand that responsibility for tackling it lies
with all of us. Without a proper discussion of the challenges involved, we will
not be able to progress fast enough and risk jeopardising our chance of a sustainable
future."
Chaired by Fiona Fox, Director of the Science Media Centre, the debate will feature
expert contributions from:
- Andrew Watkinson, Director of the Living with Environmental Change research
programme
- Susan Roaf, Professor of Architectural Engineering at Heriot Watt University
- Tom Tew, Chief Scientist for Natural England
- Matthew Bird, Programme Manager at Climate South East
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Notes
Contact:
Chloë Somers,
RCUK Press Officer, 01793 444592
or
Cheryl Hewer,
01793 444592
- The 'Living With Environmental Change' debate, sponsored by Research Councils
UK (RCUK), is being held at the Stoke Pub in Guildford on Wednesday 9th September
at 6.30 - 8pm.
- The debate is being held in a Question Time format and audience members
will be able to comment and ask questions of the panel throughout the session.
- 'Living With Environmental Change' (LWEC) is a ten year research programme
with over 20 different funding partners. LWEC aims to meet the needs identified
by the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, the United Nations’
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the reports by the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change. LWEC aims to bring together researchers from across the different
disciplines in the natural, engineering, economic, social, medical, cultural,
arts and humanities. It involves working with businesses, government bodies,
NGOs and the public to understand the research challenges and the social and
economic implications of environmental change.
www.lwec.org.uk
- This event is part of the British Science Festival which runs in Guildford
from 5th-10th September.
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival/
Research Councils UK is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research
Councils; they invest annually around £3 billion in research, covering the full
spectrum of academic disciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy,
physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, and the arts and
humanities.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).