Last Wednesday Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined his fellow
members of the Science and Technology Committee at the Science Museum to hear
from the public about their understandings of climate change.
The MPs convened in the
Atmosphere Gallery of the museum which has seen more than 1.7 million visitors
learn about climate change since its opening in 2010. The information they
gathered will form part of the evidence for their inquiry into ‘Climate: Public
understanding and policy implications.’
The meeting consisted of two
sessions; the first was to explore trust and public engagement in climate
change research whilst the second concerned public policy and communicating
science. The MPs were joined by distinguished contributors including Dr Alex
Burch, the museum’s Director of Learning and Professor Tim Palmer, Vice
President of the Royal Meteorological Society.
Mr Metcalfe commented: “It
was fantastic to hold this session in the Science Museum. It is extremely
important that we engage with the public and there is no better place to do
it.”
“Museums play a vital role in
communicating climate science to the general population. The Science Museum
alone has over three million visitors each year making it a trusted source of
information for people’s scientific curiosities. We gathered some really useful
evidence and I look forward to seeing how we can use what we have learned to
make better policy.”
For further information about
the work of the Science and Technology Committee and to learn more about their
inquiry, please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/science/
