Updates: Climate Week Stakeholder Reception

On Monday 21 November hundreds of Climate Week supporters came together at the Royal Institution in London for our Stakeholder Reception. The venue was full of passionate people representing government, business, local councils, the media, trade unions, public services, community groups, NGOs, the arts, sport, education, and faith. (Scroll down for pictures of the event and click here to watch videos).

It was fantastic to see such a diverse group of people together in one place, that are all acting to combat climate change. It was a chance for everyone to share their stories, inspire and be inspired, and start planning what they will be doing for Climate Week from 12-18 March 2012.

The highlight of the event was the panel discussion, which took place in the Faraday Theatre, chaired by Tom Clarke, the Science and Environment Correspondent for Channel 4 News. The panellists were discussing “The Need for Speed: How can we accelerate society’s response to climate change?”

Richard Betts, the Head of the Climate Impacts Programme at the Met Office, explained the current science underpinning the debate. He highlighted the need for adaptation to changes in the climate, particularly on flood plains and for new housing, taking account of likely risks.

Jo Hobbs, Head of Guiding Development at Girlguiding UK, discussed the attitudes of girls and young women to environmental issues. She talked about the importance of educating young people on practical solutions, which are empowering, instead of a focus on problems. Pointing to inspirational examples of what Brownies have been doing in Thurnby, Leicestershire, and County Antrim, Northern Ireland, she encouraged people to harness the power of youth to change the world.

The Rt Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, former Secretary of State for the Environment, spoke next, talking about how businesses have been taking a lead on climate change recently. He said they should be praised for the action they are taking, motivating them to do more, which provides a stronger platform to hold underachievers to account. He also discussed how to keep climate change at the top of the agenda: providing politicians with at least five personal letters a week; and using existing passions, and the internet, as channels to discuss the issues – as he does on Catholic blogs.

Tony Juniper, former Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, current Chair of 10:10, and Special Adviser to the Prince of Wales Charities’ International Sustainability Unit, put an emphasis on using human psychology and culture, rather than technocratic arguments, to make change happen. He stressed the importance of reaching out beyond the usual suspects, to connect with people, and the power of example in altering behaviour. He used the analogy of a fire alarm – asking how you would respond if everyone sat calmly, compared to how you would respond if everyone ran for the exits in a panic.

Paul Noon, General Secretary of Prospect, and the TUC General Council lead on energy and the environment, looked at the tremendous opportunities for Britain in emerging low-carbon industries. He also discussed the importance of government implementing stringent regulation where necessary, pointing to the example of the Clean Air Act of 1956, which got rid of London’s smog without putting a tax on soot. He finished with a focus on the role of employers, and of the expectations that employees should have from their unions and employers.

This was followed by a lively debate amongst the panellists as questions were put to them. Even Tom Clarke, as Chair, contributed by providing comments on the role of the media play in providing coverage of climate issues.

Time was too short to get the chance to talk about all the points that were raised, and so as guests filed out of the theatre the Royal Institution was buzzing with debate and discussion.

If you would like to contribute to the discussion then join the conversation on Twitter by tweeting @climate_weekor using the #ClimateWeek hashtag.

Pictures of the event:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.