ESRC Society Today

30 November 2009, London

With the publication of the new UK climate change projections in 2009, it is clear that the impacts of climate change are likely to be very significant for the UK as we approach the middle of the 21st century. We can expect:

• Increased temperatures across the UK with greater warming in summer than in winter
• More winter rainfall and drier summers for much of the country
• Rising sea levels especially in the south of the country

As yet however, our understanding of the consequences of climate change for people living in the UK is still at an early stage. We need to consider both the impacts of the direct and indirect effects of climate change and the short and longer term consequences of each in order to respond effectively.

Overall strategic interventions by policymakers and practitioners at both national and local level will need to consider how to support community resilience and adaptive capacity to face these challenges and address equity issues in emerging responses so that some groups are not disproportionately negatively affected.

It is intended that this seminar will inform ideas about potential future research funding opportunities through the Living with Environmental Change and other research programmes, building on existing research being commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the social justice implications of climate change.

This seminar will be organised in collaboration with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Local Government Association (LGA).

Download Seminar Agenda and Presentations:

1. Seminar Agenda (PDF, 108KB)
2. Prof Gordon Walker, Lancaster University (PDF, 884KB)
3. Prof Kevin Anderson, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change/University of Manchester/University of East Anglia (PDF, 1.08MB)
4. Dr Emma Tompkins, University of Leeds (PDF, 220KB)

Download Supporting Publication: 

1. 'How will climate change affect people in the UK and how can we best develop an equitable response?' Public Policy Seminar Publication (PDF, 451Kb)

Audio Interviews:

1. Professor Kevin Anderson, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change/University of Manchester/University of East Anglia  (MP3)
2. Professor Gordon Walker, Lancaster University  (MP3)
3. Dr Emma Tompkins, University of Leeds (MP3) 
4. Tim Allen, Local Government Association  (MP3)
5. Katharine Knox, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (MP3)