The university and COP26
THE UK is currently hosting one of the most important events in global diplomacy.
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) brings together people and governments from around the world to make progress on cutting emissions and tackling the growing threat of climate change.
When faced with a problem as huge as climate change, it is easy to lose heart.
When you see oil companies drilling, factories and power stations spewing pollution, and roads choked with cars, it is understandable to ask: why should I bother? What difference can I make?
I would argue that you can make every difference in the world. If you care about the future of our planet – by which I mean, if you care about humanity’s survival on it – you can be proud that, here in Reading and here in Wokingham, you are part of one of the most effective communities for change.
For a start, your community hosts one of the largest concentrations of climate scientists anywhere in the world.
This is not just at the University of Reading – which neatly straddles the Wokingham-Reading boundary.
The Royal Meteorological Society, the oldest learned society for the study of weather, has its headquarters on the Oxford Road, Reading.
In Wokingham Borough, the European
Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts produces life-saving predictions and worldclass science in Shinfield.
The University is not only a leader in climate science. It also contributes through education and research into business, social science, humanities and arts.
That’s why we linked up experts in climate science and education from across the UK at our Climate Education Summit.
Our vision is to transform climate education, helping to give the younger generation a head-start in understanding climate change.
After all, they are the ones who will have to live with and fix the mistakes of their parents and grandparents.
At Glasgow, one image will be visible everywhere – and it shows how you, as an individual, can really make a difference and take action on climate change.
My colleague Ed Hawkins created the ‘climate stripes’ image in 2018 as a way to show very simply how our world is heating up.
Since then, it has featured in newspapers, websites, on trains, buses and posters.
In Glasgow, buildings have painted themselves in climate stripes.
COP attendees will wear climate stripes badges and masks.
The aim of the stripes image is simple: it helps to start conversations about climate change.
Visit show you stripes. info to find out more. You can make small changes in your own life to reduce your personal emissions.
But let’s not stop there.
No-one has all the answers, but if you can start conversations about the climate with your family, your friends and your neighbours, you can help them ask some crucial questions.