Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has announced a special briefing next month for the city’s residents on the topic of climate change, with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lead-author Dr Jo House.
Wera said: Climate Change is an existential threat to human existence. Over recent years the pace of change has been increasing as the world warms and our weather patterns change.
“Here in Bath, campaigners such as Extinction Rebellion and the Youth Climate Alliance, as well as a raft of green groups, are taking on the fight. Even the Council has declared a Climate Emergency.
“So what are we to do? I am organising two events, firstly a Briefing from an expert on June 13th, and then a Climate Conference on 13th July, which will look to provide some answers.
“Over the past 40 years or so, we have been completely reliant on some courageous scientists, who have stuck to their guns and reported their findings in the face of huge opposition from the fossil fuel industry.
“However, the work they have done has informed environmental campaigners from across the world. I am therefore very pleased that Dr Jo House of Bristol University has been able to find the time to come and talk to us about her work.
“She is one of the Lead Authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and is very well placed to brief us on the current scientific understandings of our changing climate.”
Dr Jo House said: “My research is on land and climate interactions, including emissions of carbon dioxide from land use change (e.g. deforestation), and climate mitigation potential from the land (e.g. afforestation, bioenergy).
“I am currently involved in three IPCC Reports – The Special Report on Climate Change and Land, the 2019 inventory methods refinement report, and the IPCC 6th Assessment Report.
“I was an author of the recent Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering Report on Greenhouse Gas Removal. Hopefully, you will find my work interesting and helpful, and that we will have lots of time for questions.”
The talk will take place at the BRLSI on Thursday 13th June. Doors will open at 6.30 for a 7pm start. Free tickets are available at www.werahobhouse.co.uk/events.
The Conference will take place at The Edge, Bath University, on 13th July from 9.30 to 4pm. More information will be announced soon.