2009 Annual Oxford Lecture

2009 Annual Oxford Lecture

‘Global citizens’ to shape the future of our planet

Individuals can make the biggest impact on climate change, according to Professor Jaqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, who presented at Earthwatch’s annual Oxford lecture. The keynote address was delivered to an invite-only audience including scientists, academics, opinion formers and NGOs at the Said Business School on 16 February at 7.00pm.

In her speech, ‘Global Citizen Observatory – The Role of Individuals in Observing and Understanding our Changing World”, Professor McGlade called for a radical rethink in combating climate change, with individuals taking a leading role.

Professor McGlade said, “If we are to tackle our environmental problems, including climate change, we need to move beyond conventional systems of data collection and management. Obtaining and using local knowledge will help us empower citizens, and it will also give us a better indication of what we need to do to be truly sustainable.”

Earthwatch has run its prestigious annual Oxford lectures for four years, featuring talks on the planet’s most pressing environmental issues by leading thinkers, strategists and scientists.