Welsh climate scientist and Assembly Environment Minister in Conwy public meeting

19 May 2010

Sir John Houghton is one of the most highly-qualified and experienced climate scientists in the world [1]. And along with Wales' Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, and Friends of the Earth Cymru Director, Gordon James, he'll be speaking and answering questions at a public meeting in Conwy this Friday, 21 May [2].

The meeting will also see the launch, by Jane Davidson, of a new paper from Friends of the Earth Cymru, 'Climate science: countering the myths' [3], which tackles 10 of the most common misleading arguments about climate change.

The panelists will be discussing how we can move forward positively on climate change, and considering the opportunities for Wales in a low carbon future.

Morgan Parry, chair of Countryside Council for Wales, will be chairing the public meeting, and taking questions from the audience. All are welcome.

Sir John Houghton said:

"I've been very fortunate in the jobs I've done, to have been involved in this remarkable explosion of our understanding of the climate system. And I recognise climate change is a global problem - what's needed is very good information out there, and I feel it's my responsibility to help.

"What we have to do is to get carbon-free energy as fast as we can get it. But that can be done, and at the same time we could help to solve the financial crisis, reduce pollution, have better health and more energy security. So the world really can be a better place."

Welsh Assembly Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson AM, said:

"The overwhelming majority of evidence gathered by independent scientists shows how the world is experiencing climate change and that human activity is making it worse.

"Climate change is not some academic concept but a real threat to Wales and the world. I fully support Friends of the Earth Cymru's efforts in producing this important paper.

"Only last year (2009) the latest climate change forecasts produced by the Met Office predict hotter, drier summers, milder wetter winters, an increased risk of flooding and sea level rises for Wales. We must take action now if we are to have any chance of limiting the damage that could be caused."

Gordon James, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"The scientific evidence that human activity is causing climate change is accepted by the world's leading scientists, as represented by the Academies of Science, virtually all the world's governments, health experts such as the BMA, military experts such as the MoD, and leading economists such as Lord Stern.

"It is also evident that we could and should be doing far more to address the problem and to reap the benefits of the low carbon economy. There is a significant potential to do this in Wales and the next few years will be crucially important in rolling out policies that will deliver substantial cuts in climate-changing emissions and create green jobs.

NOTES

1. Sir John Houghton shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, as co-chair of the Scientific Assessment Working Group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world's leading climate science body. Sir John founded The Met Office Hadley Centre, the UK's foremost climate change research centre, and has been Director General of the UK Meteorological Office and Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Oxford University.
2. Conwy Civic Hall, Castle Street, Conwy LL32 6AY. 7.30pm - 9pm (doors open 7.00)
3. Download 'Climate science: Countering the Myths' (PDF† format 156K)

For further information, please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577