Not the end of the world?

Doomsday predictions that the end of the world is nigh due to the climate crisis can be a dream for climate deniers. Yet, data tells us a rethink on everything we’ve ever been told about the environment, biodiversity and plastics is overdue. While the problems are huge, it may be that rapid technology, significant societal transformation and a sharp narrative turnaround could have the world back on track to achieve true sustainability for the first time in history.

Join the panel to discuss the reality and the potential solutions. 

Chair: Ben Macpherson MSP, deputy convener, Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Panellists:

Professor Baukje de Roos is an internationally recognised nutrition scientist with 25 years of experience in the design and delivery of human dietary intervention studies to assess how nutrients, foods and diets affect our health. Her current work at the Rowett Institute focusses on developing and implementing novel precision and personalised nutrition approaches to improve population and individual health, as well as finding ways to make our diets more environmentally sustainable. She leads the Scottish Government RESAS Strategic Research Programme 2022-27 Topic Food & Drink Improvement, and Diet & Food Safety, with interdisciplinary and cross-Institute work focussing on economically profitable and sustainable Scottish food and drink supply chains, and a safe, healthy, nutritious and environmentally sustainable food and drink environment.

Anne Marte Bergseng is programme manager at ClimateXChange, delivering expert advice and analysis to support the Scottish Government. Prior to taking up this role she managed a portfolio of research on climate resilience and social change, informing public engagement and policy across the transition to net zero. Anne Marte has worked in knowledge exchange on environmental and sustainability issues for over 20 years and sits on the Steering Group for Scotland’s National Centre for Resilience, and is a trustee for sustainability charities Sniffer and Creative Carbon Scotland, and outdoor learning charity The Green Team.

Robert Moran is a partner at the Brunswick Group, a critical issues advisory firm. Robert is a management consultant, communications strategist, futurist, and writer. Prior to Brunswick, Robert led Edelman’s research firm, StrategyOne. He began his career in political consulting and polling. Robert is a frequent television commentator and has appeared on BBC, Fox Business News, Australian Broadcasting, Al Jazeera, and many others. He frequently writes and speaks on future forward subject and has written three covers stories for the Mensa Bulletin. His new novel is Lincoln 2.0, which explores a near future of AI candidates.

Mike Robinson has been chief executive since 2008, overseeing the RSGS move to Perth and rejuvenating the charity’s purpose, positioning and profile. Through this role, and over the course of the last 25 years, Mike has been instrumental in informing policy through joined-up, collaborative action, particularly in sustainability and climate change. He is an advisor to Government and trustee on several boards, mostly in the spheres of education, agriculture and transport, and is hosting a series of Climate Emergency Summits with more than 40 organisations to identify suitable responses to the emergency, and to inform government thinking. He is also leading development of a new qualification; Climate Solutions, for business leaders.

Interpreters: Andy Carmichael and Tessa Slaughter