Leading figures, including Will Travers OBE, Dominic Dyer, Deborah Meaden and Pen Farthing, to debate the importance of habitat, wildlife protection and animal welfare
“The time for talking is almost over. CoP26 is our last and best chance to discuss, agree and invest in the bold, decisive actions needed to reverse biodiversity loss, wean ourselves off fossil fuels, reach carbon neutral by 2030 (not 2050), clean up our oceans and our air, end the exploitation of the many by the few – and save ourselves. Born Free remains positive, but I believe it is now or never.” – Will Travers OBE. Exec President and Co-Founder, Born Free
As part of the Cabinet Office Green Zone event programme at the COP26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow, leading wildlife charity, Born Free, is hosting a key debate on the ‘State of the Earth’, in the format of a Question Time event at the IMax Cinema at the Science Centre, Glasgow, on Sunday 7 November from 12.30 to 2.30pm.
The event will be chaired by Born Free Policy Advisor and Wildlife Advocate Dominic Dyer, based on the format of the BBC current affairs programme, with questions for the panel being submitted by the audience of over 400 delegates and attendees.
Dominic Dyer, Chair of the event and Born Free’s Policy Advisor, said: “The climate emergency is not just a crisis for the future of human civilisation, it also endangers the future of the natural world and all animal life on this planet.
“In our lifetime, we have seen a 68% global decline in animal population sizes around the world, largely due to deforestation, unsustainable industrial agriculture, illegal wildlife trade and the growing impact of climate change.
“It’s time to end the exploitation and destruction of the natural world and usher in a new era where we re-wild landscapes, restore our oceans, and create a new world where wildlife and people can live in harmony and thrive together.”
Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, businesswoman and passionate animal welfare campaigner commented: “There is a huge focus on Net Zero going in to COP26, but it is important we also consider the wider issues which feed into the health of our planet, including biodiversity, animal welfare, plastics and pollution.
“I am delighted to be sitting on such a knowledgeable and diverse panel to discuss how we can best tackle these hugely important issues.”
Craig Bennett, CEO Wildlife Trusts concluded: “COP26 represents an import moment in time when we all need to question and reflect how well we are doing in tackling the climate & ecological emergency.
“This Question Time event provides a great opportunity for anyone to ask questions of the panel about any issues and to participate in this timely and urgent debate.”
Born Free’s Head of Policy, veterinarian Dr Mark Jones, added: “The biodiversity and climate crises are inextricably linked. Nature acts as a natural carbon store and a buffer to global warming and the effects of extreme weather events.
“Addressing global warming is key to ensuring species can continue to survive and thrive in the habitats they have evolved to live in. This event is a real opportunity drive home the message to decision makers that we need to act, and act now, to limit global warming and protect nature and wildlife, for the sake of all life on earth.”
Pen Farthing, CEO and Founder, Nowzad, added: “The Born Free ‘State of the Earth’ Question Time is an important opportunity to engage with a live audience on how we can make this world a better place for people, nature and animals, at home and abroad.”
The sold-out panel discussion will be held in front of a live audience of over 400 delegates as well as livestreamed to a large global audience here:
