At-Bristol Science Centre hosts Sir Mark Walport, Government Chief Science Adviser and Dr Helen Czerski for a public event on energy

On Tuesday 8 December, At-Bristol Science Centre will play host to the Government’s Chief Science Adviser, Sir Mark Walport for a high-profile public event chaired by Dr Helen Czerski.  The event is particularly timely as it takes place during the Paris United Nations Climate Conference (30 November – 11 December).

The free talk, entitled ‘How will we power the UK in the future?’ is part of a national tour, and has been developed in collaboration with At-Bristol Science Centre, and the Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC).

Sir Mark Walport will introduce the challenges we face for powering the UK in the future. The way we supply and use energy needs to change. We need power that is secure, affordable and sustainable. The talk will cover the options and choices the UK has for energy. The event will be introduced and chaired by Dr Helen Czerski (currently presenting ‘Colour: The Spectrum of Science’ on BBC Four) and will include an audience Q&A.

Sir Mark visited At-Bristol last year for another public event, entitled ‘The Planet in Our Hands - Responding to Climate Change', and received a tour of At-Bristol, itself one of the most cutting edge low-energy buildings in the UK.

Sir Mark Walport says: “We all depend on energy to live so it is important that we collectively have a discussion about how we will supply and use it in the future. I'm here in Bristol to offer people the fundamental scientific knowledge they need to participate in this debate and make their own minds up about the path our country should take – and to recognise that there are no easy choices.”

Chris Dunford, At-Bristol’s Sustainability Engagement Manager, adds: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Sir Mark Walport back to At-Bristol, we are proud to be working as a hub for public engagement in the European Green Capital 2015, and this talk is another great example of that work. Energy and climate change are some of the biggest challenges facing society today, and science centres such as ourselves play a pivotal role in engaging the public with the science, and encouraging dialogue as we work towards becoming a more sustainable society.” 

The free event starts at 6.30pm on Tuesday 8 December. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit https://www.at-bristol.org.uk/event/future-energy-sir-mark-walport-government-chief-scientific-adviser

For more information on the Future of Energy public tour, please visit http://sciencecentres.org.uk/events/MarkWalport/

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For further information, please contact Jen Forster – PR Manager, on 0117 915 7152 or jen.forster@at-bristol.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

Sir Mark will be available for interview from 5.20-5.50 on Tuesday 8 December in At-Bristol. Please contact jen.forster@at-bristol.org.uk or call 0117 915 7152 to arrange.

Biographies:
Sir Mark Walport was appointed Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Head of the Government Office for Science in April 2013. As GCSA Mark is co-chair of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology (CST).

Dr Helen Czerski is a Physicist, oceanographer and broadcaster with a passion for science, sport, books, creativity, hot chocolate and investigating the interesting things in life. She currently works at UCL (University College London) in London, and is a science presenter for the BBC.

For further information, please contact Jen Forster – PR Manager, on 0117 9157 152/07967 334 152  or jen.forster@at-bristol.org.uk. You can also follow At-Bristol on Twitter (@AtBristol) or on Facebook (atbristolfans)