THE effects of climate change will come under the spotlight at a Question Time-style event to be held in York next month.

Leading experts will be on hand at the Climate Change: Any Questions? meeting on February 8 to answer questions about the impact of global warming on our region.

The event has been organised as part of Climate Talk - a year-long project aimed at increasing awareness of the issue among the over-50s in North Yorkshire.

Scientists at the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York are running the scheme, with backing from The Press.

Dr Gary Haq, who is co-ordinating the project, said: "This is a chance for people to ask the questions they have always wanted to ask to understand a little bit more about climate change.

"A lot of people are aware of the term but they are unsure about how it will impact them, what it will mean for North Yorkshire and what people can do about it."

The event will take place at the Guildhall from 7pm to 9pm and will be chaired by BBC Radio York presenter Elly Fiorentini. It will also be broadcast live on the station.

The expert panellists will include:

  • Sir John Lawton, chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, an independent body set up in 1970 to advise the Government and public
  • Green Euro MP Caroline Lucas who has campaigned in the European Parliament to raise awareness of climate change
  • Craig McCarvey, Dales area manager from the Environment Agency, who will explain how climate change is affecting our region
  • Tom Oxley, corporate social responsible manager from Norwich Union, will talk about the impact on business and insurance premiums.

Dr Haq said: "We have got an impressive range of experts who cover all the aspects of the issue, so it will be a really good event.

"It is the first public event of Climate Talk and we would encourage everyone, if they have an interest in climate change, to come along.

"It is one of those issues that is not going to go away."

The Climate Talk project has won a £60,000 grant from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs' climate change challenge fund to raise awareness of global warming.

More meetings are planned for Northallerton, Scarborough, and Skipton. Spaces are limited and members of the public can get tickets by phoning 01904 432897 or by emailing jmd4@york.ac.uk