Thurso-based academic to give lectures at COP26 climate conference
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A senior research fellow from North Highland College UHI's Environmental Research Institute in Thurso will be among the speakers at COP26.
Professor Roxane Andersen is one of three academics from around the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership who are travelling to Glasgow to give presentations during the United Nations climate change conference.
Prof Andersen has been invited to deliver two lectures as part of the UN Environment Programme's Peatland Pavilion events. Peatlands play an important role in soaking up harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate climate change.
Mark Shiner, a curriculum leader for maritime studies at Orkney College UHI, will give a presentation about his work in creating and delivering the world's first government-recognised training course for crews of hydrogen-powered vessels. The course, which was developed by the college's maritime studies department, was completed by five crew members from Orkney Ferries earlier this year.
Green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable electricity, can be used as a fuel for heat, power and transport.
Professor Jane Downes, director of the university's Archaeology Institute, will also travel from Orkney to attend the event. An expert on climate change and heritage, Prof Downes has been invited to talk about the role of archaeology and heritage in addressing climate change for the Dalrymple lecture series.
Delivered over four evenings and live-streamed online, the lectures will consider how island archaeology – from the Pacific to Orkney – contributes to an understanding of sustainability and living with climate change now and in the future.
COP26, which starts this Sunday and runs until Friday, November 12, will see world leaders and 20,000 delegates gather to discuss ways to tackle the climate emergency.
As well as activities in Glasgow, the university is marking COP26 with events around its partnership. Staff and students from the university's environment and sustainability group have organised a "green week" from Monday to Friday (November 1-5).
The event will include online sessions on environmental topics, a creative writing competition and an active travel challenge as well as video and blog content from students.
Arts and humanities staff and students are also contributing to the environmental theme. HNC contemporary art practice students at Inverness College UHI will be presenting responses to COP26 in the college in November, leading to a projection exhibition for Human Rights Day in December.
Mandy Haggith, a lecturer in creative writing and literature at Inverness College UHI, will have her work published in Gorwelion: Shared Horizons, an anthology of writings for COP26 from Welsh, Scottish and Indian writers.
Dr Su Bryan, acting dean of the faculty of science, health and engineering, said: "There are many staff and students across our partnership who care deeply about climate change and who are playing their part to find solutions.
"Our academics are contributing their expertise nationally, across the sciences, arts and humanities. We are advising on oceans, uplands, peatlands and wetlands.
"There are contributions on weather, archaeology, coastal erosion, human experiences of landscape and the future of travel, all involving experts at national conferences and presentations within the ‘green zone' at COP26.
"In the Highlands and Islands, we may sometimes feel far away from the decisions that affect the big issues in our lives. But, as COP26 brings world leaders to Scotland to make decisions that will affect our planet, we can remind ourselves of the many ways that our staff and students are using their influence to help shape our future in relation to climate change and the significance of our voice in the debate."
Register here for a free online ticket for Prof Jane Downes's lectures.
