Green experts face ‘Question Time’ audience
A Dunblane event last week saw four experts give a wide-ranging assessment of climate change and the consequences of global warming.
The ECO Question Time in St Mary’s hall welcomed an attentive audience to hear from a host of speakers.
Echoing the UN Secretary General, Dr Martin Johnstone warned that‘we’re at Code Red for humanity’and need particularly to listen to the voices from the Third World.
Illustrating this he played a video of Venessa Nakate at COP 26 (available on Youtube) making a passionate call for industry and businesses to honour their promises to reduce carbon emissions.
Developing this theme Laura Young emphasised the plight of those suffering from drought and famine, and those affected by flooding. Some help has been provided by, for example, drought-resistant seed, but the UN estimates that by 2050, without significant change, the world will have 200 million climate refugees.
Local Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache promoted‘thinking Globally, Acting Locally’, insisting that community action in Scotland can provide important environmental benefits and that we can help to reduce global warming by developing more sustainable travel, reducing our use of energy in buildings, and being more conscious of waste.
Turning to the responsibility as individuals, Malcolm Rooney quoted from Rev Edward Hale:“i am only one...i cannot do everything, but I can do something”, arguing that the cumulate benefits can be massive and that lowering our home temperatures, increasing insulation, choosing green energy and using public transport are all actions that, collectively, can reduce global warming.
Following the presentations, the audience questioned the speakers about a range of topics including means of influencing decision makers and ways of protecting the livelihood of those, particularly in the third world, whose products have suffered reduced demand.
The second part of this environmental initiative will be an ECO Fest, held from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday June 11 in St Mary’s hall, Dunblane, and in the grounds.
A wide range of exhibitors have already signed up including Scottish Home Energy, Nature Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Bike Doctor, Weigh Ahead and Tear Fund.