Partner Event to be held on
20 June 2024, 18.30 to 20.00
The Royal Institution (Faraday Theatre), 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS
A joint event with the London Climate Change Partnership, Grantham Research Institute and the National Trust.
Date: Thursday 20th June – 6.30-8pm
Venue: The Royal Institution (Faraday Theatre), 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS
Speakers: Professor Richard Brazier, Professor Emily Fairfax, Elliot Newton, Eva Bishop, Dr Joshua Larsen, Bob Ward
Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago, but are now being re-introduced into enclosures in England and Wales, with a growing wild population in Scotland. There is mounting evidence that beavers not only help to create flourishing ecosystems, but also reduce the risk of flooding, drought and wildfire through the natural engineering of their habitats. With Britain facing heavier rainfall, and more frequent and intense heatwaves, beavers could play a key role in our adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change. However, there is inconsistency of policy across Britain and delay within Westminster over the release of beavers at licensed locations so that their potential benefits can be fully realised. This public event will examine the science, economics and politics of beavers in our battle against climate change, with leading experts from the UK and overseas.
This event will consist of short presentations followed by a panel discussion and question and answer session with the audience. This event will be jointly hosted by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, the National Trust and the London Climate Change Partnership.
Professor Richard Brazier
Director, Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste, University of Exeter
Professor Emily Fairfax
Department of Geography, Environment, and Society, University of Minnesota
Elliot Newton
Co-Founder, Citizen Zoo
Eva Bishop
Head of Communications & Education, Beaver Trust
Dr Joshua Larsen
Senior Lecturer, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham
Bob Ward
Chair, London Climate Change Partnership
This in person event is free to join but you will need to register in advance here.