Environment Agency Chief Sir James Bevan, Jonson Cox, Ofwat Chair and Perter Simpson, CEO are among the speakers at an upcoming two day online event on managing drought risk convened by the Royal Society as part of its ongoing series of scientific meetings.

The impacts of droughts on people and the natural environment are increasing, due to climate change and over-exploitation of water resources. The Society’s free-to-attend Science+ meeting Drought risk in the Anthropocene will explore scientific understanding of changing drought risk and examine drought impacts on the environment, people and the economy.

In his opening address, Sir James Bevan will set the scene on the Anthropocene Age: the geological epoch dating from the commencement of significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems, including anthropogenic climate change.

He will look at what this new epoch means for humans and nature, how we got here, and where we need to go next.

Sir James’ speech will set out the alarming impact that anthropogenic climate change is having on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in this country and around the world. It will examine the country’s progress to escape what in 2019 he called ‘the Jaws of Death’, the point at which we will not have enough water to supply our needs.

And it will also look at our resilience against new and emerging climate shocks from heatwaves to invasive species. In response to these challenges, his speech will set out what needs to be done to ensure we can adapt to the Anthropocene.

Sir James will set out what the Environment Agency is doing to create a resilient net-zero nation alongside business, government, academia and civil society.

Finally he will argue why we should be optimistic we can turn the climate crisis into an opportunity that creates a better place for people and wildlife.

The free-to-attend meeting, which takes place online on 19 – 20 October 2021, will explore scientific understanding of changing drought risk and examine drought impacts on the environment, people and the economy.

Peter Simpson, CEO of Anglian Water, UK and Jonson Cox Chair at Ofwat are also taking part in a Panel Discussion on preparing for and managing droughts.

Policy-makers, practitioners and scientists who will discuss policy options for management of droughts in the future include:

• Professor Sonia I Seneviratne from the Institute of Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich since 2007ETH Zurich, Switzerland - a Coordinating Lead Author and Lead Author on several IPCC reports, including the IPCC Special Report on Extreme events (SREX), the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C Global warming, and the IPCC 6th Assessment report.
• Professor Justin Sheffield, Hydrology and Remote Sensing, University of Southampton, UK who will speak on recent advances in drought monitoring using satellites and models
• Associate Professor Jamie Hannaford, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Maynooth University, UK and Ireland who will speak  on UK droughts – past, present and future
• Jim Hall FREng, Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks University of Oxford, UK, member of the Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology and Expert Advisor to the National Infrastructure Commission will discuss the risks of droughts for public water supplies

Advance registration is essential for the free to attend meeting – click here for more information