CAPTION: Bishop Robert said Met Office scientific research was helping the world in the fight against climate change
Bishop of Exeter Says Met Office a Force for Good on Climate Change
The Bishop of Exeter says the threat posed by climate changed has been brought home to him by a visit to the Met Office, which is based in Exeter.
The Rt. Rev’d Robert Atwell visited the UK’s national meterological service at Exeter Business Park on 12 May and was shown some of the research being carried out there.
It includes agricultural research about soil degradation caused by climate change, long-term temperature forecasts for the UK in 2030, 2040 and 2050 based on a predicted rise in global temperatures of 1.5% and research into the impact of rising sea-levels.
A recent report by the Met Office showed that there is a 50:50 chance that one of the next five years will be the warmest on record globally, temporarily breaching 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
Bishop Robert is shown a future weather forecast with predicted temperatures of 40C for the UK if global rises continue
Bishop Robert said “It was an immense privilege to be welcomed to the Met Office and learn first-hand about the innovative research that it is engaged with, including all aspects of climate change and its impact on the global community.
“If I had any residual doubt about the challenges facing us, they were dispelled by this visit.
“Knowledge gives us the power to change things for the better and I salute the way the Met Office is determined to ensure that, as a global community, we are better informed about the challenges and choices confronting us.
“It is a centre, not simply of scientific excellence, but is reaching out hands of friendship across the world, particularly to help poorer nations thrive.
“It is a real force for good.”
The Diocese of Exeter has just recruited a Net Carbon Zero Officer to work with churches to help them achieve the Church of England’s target of net carbon zero by 2030. The new officer will be working alongside Lydia Perris, the Social Justice and Creation Care officer and will be starting in post in June.
