date: Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:27:44 +0100
from: Kathy Maskell <k.maskell@reading.ac.uk>
subject: Invite: Walker Institute Annual Lecture, 2nd June, 5.45 to 7.30pm,
to: k.maskell@reading.ac.uk

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We are delighted to invite you to the Walker Institute Annual Lecture:
"From Climate Science to Climate Policy"
Prof Robert Watson (Defra Chief Scientific Adviser)
On Tuesday 2nd June from 5.45 to 7.30pm
The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG.

Running order:
5.45 Registration
6.00 Welcome from Prof Nigel Arnell, Walker Institute Director
6.05 "From Climate Science to Climate Policy", Prof Robert Watson, Defra 
Chief Scientific Adviser
6.45 Q & A
7.00 Drinks reception and Walker Institute research showcase

*Attendance is free, but please reserve a place *
by contacting Julie Genney 0118 378 4651, j.genney@reading.ac.uk

If you are unable to attend, please forward this invitation to colleagues.

We hope that you can join us for our lecture and drinks afterwards.

Regards,

Kathy Maskell
Walker Institute communications and publicity
www.walker-institute.ac.uk

*About Professor Robert Watson*
Professor Robert Watson has been the Chief Scientific Adviser for the 
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) since 
September 2007. His main role is to provide ministers with the best 
possible scientific advice and build on existing measures to ensure that 
science and technology are used to inform policy.
Professor Watson was previously at the World Bank where he was the Chief 
Scientist and Senior Advisor for Sustainable Development. He has also 
held senior positions at NASA and, more recently, at the White House, 
where he was responsible for ensuring that science underpinned policy 
making.

*From Climate Science to Climate Policy*
Abstract:
The climate change debate has shifted from doubt to certainty. The 
challenge now is to agree global actions to reduce the worst impacts and 
to adapt to climate change.

At CoP-15 in Copenhagen this December, the world will try to agree 
greenhouse gas emission reduction targets beyond 2012, so this is a key 
time in the international climate agenda. Professor Watson will talk 
about how the latest science is helping to inform these crucial policy 
discussions. He will also look at how our national climate change policy 
fits into the international framework and how the UK is influencing the 
wider discussion.

Policymakers need information about the likely impacts of climate 
change, on food, water security, biodiversity and ecosystem services and 
crucially, the extent to which impacts are avoided if greenhouse gas 
emissions are reduced.

Scientific information to inform climate change adaptation decisions is 
also crucial. Here detailed information at the regional scale about 
climate change and the frequency of extremes is especially important. 
Information about climate change over the next 1 to 2 decades as well as 
likely impacts by the end of the century are needed. Professor Watson 
will look at the latest science and the key challenges for the future.

-- 
Kathy Maskell
Walker Institute communications and publicity
0118 378 7380

www.walker-institute.ac.uk

Agriculture building
University of Reading
Earley Gate
Reading, RG6 6AR.


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