Al Gore to speak at Times/Smith School Forum
06 Jul 09
Al Gore - former US Vice President and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2007 for his efforts to publicise climate change - is due to speak at Oxford University's Times/Smith School World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment.
The event, from July 5-7, addresses the question 'Is there a model for low carbon growth?' and is attracting more than 200 politicians, business leaders and academics. They include the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives.
At the opening news conference on 5 July, President Nasheed detailed the impact that climate change, particularly rising sea levels and more frequent storms, is having on the Maldives. In March this year, the President announced that the Maldives, a group of tropical islands just 1.5m above sea level, would become the world's first carbon-neutral country, switching from oil to renewable energy sources within 10 years.
Professor Sir David King, Director of the Smith School’The World Forum is an opportunity for global leaders to determine the range of low-carbon development models that will be implemented over coming decades. The event will take us beyond the scientific imperatives for action and the ongoing Copenhagen negotiations.’
Sir David King, Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and the UK government chief scientist from 2000-2008, said: ’The World Forum is an opportunity for global leaders to determine the range of low-carbon development models that will be implemented over coming decades. The event will take us beyond the scientific imperatives for action and the ongoing Copenhagen negotiations.’
Lord Browne of Madingley, managing partner of private equity firm Riverstone Holdings and former BP Chief Executive, has given a keynote speech about the opportunities presented by a low carbon economy.
The Honorable Al Gore, former US Vice President, will give the closing address at Keble College on 7 July.