The Government Committee on Climate Change www.theccc.org.uk published on 19th July a 32 page document entitled ‘Building a low carbon economy – the UK’s innovation challenge.’ Sir John Houghton says “It is an excellent challenging document that points out that the goals the government have set for reduction in CO2 emissions will not be reached unless the government gives greater priority and investment to the development of innovative technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), marine (e.g. tidal and wave), smart grids and electric vehicles. There is great urgency for the government to set out its clear strategy for action to turn its fine ambitions expressed in words into future reality”.
25th July 2010
Dr. Martin J. Hodson, JRI Operations Manager, spoke on “Are GM crops necessary to secure global food supplies at affordable prices?” at the summer conference on GM Crops and Food Security 2010-2050 put on by the ASSOCIATE PARLIAMENTARY FOOD & HEALTH FORUM at the House of Commons on Wednesday 21 July 2010. DOWNLOAD HERE
22nd July 2010
Climate Change and the Integrity of Science.
In May a letter was published in Science signed by over two hundred climate scientists about the integrity of climate change science. Science 7 May 2010: Vol. 328. no. 5979, pp. 689-90. Published online at:
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/328/5979/689
15th July 2010
Every few years the JRI Board, Presidential Team and Staff meet for an away day. So on 24th June 2010 we met in Haddenham, Bucks, to consider our strategy for the next few years. Here we are on Haddenham village green just before lunch. Left to Right below: John Weaver, Sam Berry, Claire Ashton, Richard Weaver, Hilary Marlow, John Sale, Sir John Houghton, Bob White, Margot Hodson, Martin Hodson, Paul Houghton.
24th June 2010
Quite a lot has happened in the months since our last newsletter. For a start we welcome a new Chair for the JRI Board, the Revd. Dr. John Weaver. John tells us something of his vision for JRI in the next few years. We also had a very successful “Food Futures” conference at Redcliffe College in March, and we report on that. JRI has also been re-vamping its associates scheme, and we have welcomed several new associates in the last few months. Paul Houghton brings us important news about the JRI Prayer Up-date. Our distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES) is going from strength to strength, with two new modules soon becoming available. Do come on our field trip this summer! And of course climate change is never far from our minds, and we are gathering our thoughts for the COP16 conference in Mexico later this year. DOWNLOAD HERE
25th May 2010
The Cymru Institute for Contemporary Christianity is launching with three meetings on Climate Change. These will be held in Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth. Speakers include Sir John Houghton, Rev. Dr. John Weaver (JRI Chairman) and Richard Weaver. More details can be found at http://cicconline.org.uk/category/events-generic
16th April 2010
Summer Field Trip to Whetstone Fruit Farm, Leicestershire.
Saturday 10th July 2010 (11.00am to 4.00pm)
For some years now CRES, in association with JRI and CRuC have run summer field trips around England. These visits have varied from farms to woodlands, from urban to very rural, and we aim to vary our content every year. The visits are run by the CRES distance learning course, but anyone associated with CRES, JRI or CRuC, plus their friends and family will be very welcome. This year we are visiting Anthony & Sandra Herbert at Whetstone Fruit Farm in Leicestershire. Anthony & Sandra are looking forward to our CRES visit, and say. “We run a pick your own fruit enterprise (with tearoom & playbarn) in addition to 600 acres of arable crops. We are in two agri-environmental schemes and have ponds, woods, a brook, and disused railway line. We host a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) scheme called Community Harvest Whetstone – the first vegetable crops should be visible at your visit. We are active further afield - both of us involved with the charity Send a Cow (which includes goats, poultry, bees and sustainable natural agriculture!). Sandra is chair of Leicestershire Food Links – Leading the Field in Local Food, besides being part of the Christian Muslim Forum. We will give you a warm welcome, a stimulating day, some fresh air – and the chance to pick very tasty strawberries!”
The cost per person is £10 for the day, including a £2.50 donation to Send a Cow. Spaces on this wonderful field trip are limited to the first 25 people who book in, so book now or risk being disappointed! Download the information and booking form
16th March 2010
