Centre for Public Policy

About this talk

In partnership with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society

Increasingly, many scientists believe that people will only mobilise on the climate crisis when they personally experience the pain and suffering of climate shock akin to the recent LA firestorms. Only mobilisation and demonstration will pressurise governments and business to actively reduce carbon emissions and make progress on climate talks. How optimistic should we be and are communities united enough to make the shift to activism based on personal pain of the climate crisis?

Panellists: 

- Clare Wharmby is the Co-Director of the Scottish Climate Intelligence Service (SCIS) and works for the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute. The SCIS supports local authorities to develop online climate action plans using a shared data platform, focusing on effective climate solutions and the systemic changes needed to fund and implement them.

- Dr Hannah Salamon is a Research Associate at the Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow. She researches the gendered dimensions of climate change policies and outcomes, with particular focus on the green energy transition. She also researches the role of inclusion and diversity in climate Citizens' Assemblies. 

- Mike Robinson OBE has been Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society since 2008. Through this role and over the course of the last 25 years, Mike has been instrumental in informing policy through joined-up, collaborative action, particularly in sustainability and climate change.

 

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First published: 2 July 2025