Seaton Bay

The Event

The Seaton Gateway Group have organised a three hour afternoon symposium in the Seaton Town Hall on Thursday 20th September, 2007. The aim is to help pave the way for establishing a World Heritage Coast Visitor and Education Centre in Seaton from which this sort of event may be staged in the future.

Four well-known speakers have been invited to give presentations on subjects closely linked to the theme of the coast (A Walk Through Time) and to stimulate exploration and discussion of these important subjects.

It is hoped that this will be the first of an annual series of lectures.

The Speakers

Dr Richard Betts, Manager of Climate change Impacts, Met Office Hadley Centre, Exeter.

Richard will quantify the climate changes measured over the last century, present the evidence for human contributions to these and discuss the projections of further climate changes and their impacts in the 21st century.

Dr Alice Bows, Senior Research Fellow, Tyndall Centre for Climate change, University of Manchester.

Alice will talk about the challenging task ahead if the UK is to play its fair part in ensuring that global temperatures do not rise by more than 2 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels. The presentation will include an assessment of the UK’s available 50 year carbon budget and some of the mitigation options available to make the very important cuts in the country’s carbon emissions that are required.

Dr. Stephan Harding, Holistic Science MSc Coordinator, Schumacher College, Dartington. Author of “Animate Earth” (2006)

“This book represents systems science at its best. I defy you not to be swept along by Stephan’s account of how the Earth’s natural systems (particularly the carbon cycle) have evolved, and of our part in them. In the process, he brings the concept of Gaia to life, not just in terms of the science, but philosophically and personally – giving a whole new dimension to what “environment-friendly” really means.” – Jonathon Porritt, Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.

Stephan will elaborate on this review and explore how Gaian science can help us to realise a greater sense of connectedness with our sustaining planet – a vitally important task at this time of severe ecological and climate crisis.

Dr Jude Currivan, independent quantum physicist, archeologist and cosmologist.

Jude will explore and reconcile the inter-related subjects of her own research, including consciousness, which together throw light on the evolution of the living Earth and ourselves. Her work is supported by English Heritage and the National Trust. She will cover the shaping of landscape and the stories revealed by science and tradition. With a diverse background of business directorships and philosophy she currently teaches “integral strategies” and leads investigative world-wide pilgrimages to ancient sites. Author of “The Wave”.

Poet: Matt Harvey

I addition poet, Matt Harvey, author of “The Hole in the Sum of my Parts” has been invited to link the presentations during the afternoon with readings from his own work.

The Afternoons Agenda

There will be two talks followed by a refreshment interval then a further two talks and an open question and discussion session. The talks will be preceded by an introduction from David Kelf from the Seaton Gateway group and linked by appropriate and amusing poems by Matt Harvey.

Entry will be £5 per head (£3 for students and others on low income). The hope is to attract over 200 people.

Tickets can be booked from the Seaton Tourist Information Centre (01297 21056) or obtained from the Seaton town Hall on the day.