Swindon’s Science Café saw a packed audience on Tuesday evening as residents gathered to delve into a vital discussion on how to engage people with climate change. The event featured Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, an environmental psychologist from the University of Bath and Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Professor Whitmarsh’s expertise spans a range of critical climate-related issues, from low-carbon behaviour to sustainable lifestyle choices.
During the discussion, she drew on her extensive research, which encompasses areas such as energy efficiency, meat consumption, waste reduction, electric vehicles, and responses to climate change. Her insights provided food for thought on how individual behaviours and collective societal shifts can be leveraged to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Dr Roderick Hebden, Director of the Festival of Tomorrow, praised the enthusiastic turnout: “After an incredible start in October, it was wonderful to see even more local people joining us on a chilly November evening. This eagerness to engage in difficult yet necessary conversations is a testament to Swindon’s commitment to fostering open dialogue and exploring different perspectives in a friendly atmosphere.”
The event marked the second in a new monthly series held at the iCAST Creative Hub, where cutting-edge research, innovation, and ideas are brought to the public through accessible and engaging discussions. Unlike formal lectures, these sessions focus on encouraging a relaxed, two-way conversation over a drink between researchers and the community. The Swindon Science Café is a collaborative effort between the University of Bath Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST), the Royal Agricultural University Swindon, the Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology, and the Festival of Tomorrow.
For those keen to explore upcoming topics, future events include:
- 3rd December 2024: Soil Health with Dr David O’Connor, Royal Agricultural University
- 7th January 2025: Not Just for Christmas: Making the Most of Your Christmas Tree with Professor Matthew Davidson, University of Bath / iCAST
- 4th February 2025: Is Hydrogen the Fuel of the Future? with William Mezzullo, Head of Hydrogen at Centrica
To stay informed about future Swindon Science Café events, sign up for updates on the Festival of Tomorrow’s website and follow them on social media.
