Climate Change: the new culture war or grounds for consensus?

There has been much discussion of the growing divides between towns and cities in British politics – supposedly fuelling a culture war between on important social and economic concerns in post-Brexit Britain. Much coverage of our towns, especially those in the ‘red Wall’, might give the impression that people in them don’t care about ‘woke issues’ like the environment and climate change. This is despite Britain’s towns possessing tremendous natural assets – in the form of local countryside and heritage. But is this picture of town-city divides on the environment accurate? This webinar will present findings from a recent study on public attitudes towards the environment and climate in towns and cities in the UK by the Centre of Towns. It includes speakers from The Financial Times and the European Climate Foundation and will explore new evidence of the degree of consensus (as well as difference) between places . It will also reflect on the challenges of building a policy agenda that seeks to build support on environmental issues through recognising the distinct priorities, day-to-day experiences and values of people residing in different areas.

Speakers

Will Jennings, Centre for Towns and University of Southampton

Sebastian Payne, The Financial Times

Jessie Nicholls, European Climate Foundation

Chair

Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan