International experts meet to discuss climate change and its effects on Highland wildlife
Issued: 3 Nov 2024
The likely impacts of climate change on nature and wildlife in Scotland is the topic of a conference being held on Friday 5 November, at the Highland Council Chambers in Inverness.
Delegates and experts in the field including policymakers to crofters, foresters to tourist operators, fishermen to farmers, land managers to the news media; all have a vital interest in the profound implications of climate change on Scotland's biodiversity and the world they live in.
The Highlands International Biodiversity and Climate Change Conference is the forum to find the latest information about how climate change is affecting the unique habitats and resources of the Highlands and Islands, and learn about innovative solutions to enhance biodiversity under the pressure of climate change. The United Nations declared 2024 as the International Year of Biodiversity, and this conference will help focus minds and attention on the key issues of climate change and how it impacts on biodiversity.
Highland Councillor Isobel McCallum will welcome over 90 delegates to the Council Chamber in Inverness. She said: "This conference is an
unparalleled opportunity for people who are passionate about maintaining Scotland's unique biodiversity to meet experts in both land and marine ecology, and to network with people from all walks of Highland life."
The event, organised by the UN Associated Training Centre CIFAL Findhorn, and supported by many local and national ecological organisations, is set to put the Highlands on the map in what is thought to be a unique event to the area.
The expert speakers are as diverse as the people who will be attending. They include the keynote speaker, Dr Bob Bloomfield, Head of Innovation and Special Projects at the Natural History Museum and Convener of the International Year of Biodiversity UK; Dr Salman Hussain of the Scottish Agricultural College, who will address the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity in his presentation; Laurie Bennett, Head of Strategy at Futerra presenting Futerra's unique biodiversity branding strategy; and Michael Leth Jess from the Danish Society for Nature Conservation, who will share innovations from the European perspective.
With active involvement from Scottish Government representatives from the local to the national level and a full afternoon of workshops, this event, the first of its kind in the Highlands is not to be missed. The afternoon consists of four workshops on the subjects of Biodiversity enhancing land use, Forest conservation and sustainable use, Marine and Coast and Engaging communities.
Limited spaces are available and anyone interested in joining the delegates should call CIFAL Findhorn on 01309 678130 in the first instance.
