Climate crisis: our ocean, our future
Zoom event, 30 January 2021, 15:30 - 17:30 (GMT)

Organised in partnership with the United Nations Association Climate and Oceans, to raise awareness about the importance of our ocean for climate and the need for urgent action and international cooperation to stop devastating climate change. Left alone to run its course, the climate crisis is likely to make our planet uninhabitable by humans and most other life forms.

Programme re Climate Crisis Our Ocean Our Future 30 Jan 2021(6).pdf

Main speakers

Dr Nazia Khanum OBE DL

Chair of United Nations Association - Luton Branch: Introduction

Susan Lousada

High Sheriff of Bedfordshire: Message of support

Maria Lovell

Mayor of Luton: Welcome to Luton

Gonzalo Alvarez

Chairman, United Nations Association Climate and Oceans, marine biologist and oceanographer: Main presentation on Climate crisis - our ocean, our future

Dr David Cheesman FRSA FRSS

Secretary of United Nations Association - Luton Branch: Facilitation of question and answer session

Faatiha Aayat

9-year old child rights activist and climate campaigner in New York: Call for action, with special emphasis on impact on Bangladesh, her country of origin and one of the most vulnerable front-line states. Click on her picture above to see her statement.

The complete recording of the Zoom conference is now available on YouTube






Climate crisis: our ocean, our future Part 1

Presentations by Dr Nazia Khanum OBE DL, Chair of UNA-Luton; Susan Lousada, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire; Councillor Maria Lovell, Mayor of Luton; Gonzalo Alvarez, Chair of UNA Climate and Oceans






Climate crisis: our ocean, our future Part 2

Statement by Faatiha Aayat, 9-year old climate campaigner from New York; Question and Answer session facilitated by Dr David Cheesman, Secretary of UNA-Luton

The Ocean and Us

Sir David Attenborough's message to the United Nations Ocean Conference

A brief report of the conference will be posted soon, with an action plan. 83 delegates participated. They came from all parts of the world - from Tierra del Fuego to the Philippines - and brought a wealth of local experience and expertise to the discussion. It was agreed that the meeting should be followed up by action, as a basis for developing an international campaign, working with other climate change organisations to tackle the critical issues raised in Gonzalo Alvarez's sobering presentation.

There was particular concern about the failure of governments around the world to meet their international commitments. Those of us based in the United Kingdom were invited to contact their MPs and encourage them to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill which is being presented to Parliament by 96 MPs from all parties.

Conference on Climate change: negotiations, actions and movements University of Bedfordshire and UNA-Luton, 6 November 2017

The event started with the raising of the UN flag to celebrate UN Day and was opened by Bill Rammell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and Honorary President of UNA-Luton

This all-day multi-disciplinary event involved simulated and participatory activities to generate effective learning and networking opportunities. An innovative feature of the day was the role-play 'World Climate Negotiations.' This was set up as an international conference on climate change to negotiate carbon emission targets. Participants were assigned to specific countries, fossil fuel lobby groups or environmental NGO groups and given the appropriate negotiating brief. They were not allowed to choose countries or groups of their own preference and no prior understanding of climate change or sustainable development was needed. Participants reported that they had learned from the experience and found it an exciting approach to the issues.