University of Hull calls for green action to save the world at BBC Countryfile Live

The University of Hull is warning that we must act now to save the world, as it tackles the thorny issue of climate change and the need for green action at the prestigious BBC Countryfile Live event this week.

Dr Stuart McLelland, Deputy Director of the University’s Energy and Environment Institute, joins a distinguished line up of speakers in The Time for Change Theatre at the event, a celebration of the British countryside at Castle Howard.

Asking if green action can save the world, Dr McLelland will argue that we have already passed the point of no return and we must now work to prepare ourselves for more extreme weather events in the years to come.

He says: “Everyone can see that storms and extreme weather events are increasing in both magnitude and frequency. The damage is already done and we now need to think about how we can protect ourselves from this.

“Resilience is as important as trying to make the changes we need to cut carbon and limit further climate change. There are more floods, the sea is rising and more than 1 billion people across the globe are at risk from flooding.

“We need to build resilience in the greenest way we can. People are going to be affected, but we need to limit the threat of damage as much as we can. We need to get to net carbon zero sooner, rather than later. The quicker we do it, the less change we will see to our climate.”

The Energy and Environment Institute at the University brings together leading academics to tackle global issues surrounding climate change and its consequences. It is at the forefront of the latest low-carbon energy technology, works around the world to understand water hazards and leads a range of groundbreaking research in to combatting flooding and the rising tide.

BBC Countryfile Live comes to Yorkshire for the very first time from 15-18 August at Castle Howard.

The event is set to celebrate every part of the British countryside for a full experience of everything the TV programme cherishes. There will be four days of live arena shows, debates, food, drink, farm-animal demonstrations and shopping in the beautiful setting of Castle Howard.

The Countryfile team will be giving talks and hosting demonstrations, giving the public the chance to speak to, and learn more about, their favourite presenters.

Visitors can also get involved in all the outdoors action at the Wildlife Zone, Equine Arena, National Trust Acre and Dog Lovers’ Arena or take in all the fun of the fair at The Village Green.

Dr McLelland will be joined by Ed Davey, Author and Director at the World Resources Institute for ‘Can green action save the world?’ This discussion will take place from 12-12.40 on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 August.

Dr McLelland adds: “We can’t create a green economy overnight but we can get there quicker by using our existing infrastructure and making it greener. Switching part of the Drax Power Station to biomass fuel from coal can be seen as a good example of this.

“The challenge is great but we have the opportunity to build a greener economy here in the UK. You only have to look at what the University of Hull is doing to support the renewable energy revolution in the Humber. We can replicate this across the UK and become a world-leading green economy.”

Visitors to BBC Countryfile Live can also get involved in all the outdoors action at the Wildlife Zone, Equine Arena, National Trust Acre and Dog Lovers’ Arena. Other highlights include the National Trust’s 50 Things Woodland, where children can enjoy tree climbing, den building, and bug watching.