The Day After Tomorrow: Our Oceans and Climate Change

Wednesday 28^th February 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Professor of Physical Oceanography Meric Srokosz

Anthropogenic climate change is now accepted by virtually all credible scientists in the relevant fields. Professor of Physical Oceanography Meric Srokosz will be exploring the role of the oceans in climate and climate change, and explaining how the earth’s climate is actually changing and the consequent effects. Points of interest in this presentation will include the impact of sea level rises, the potential changes in global weather patterns, and a look at the effect of ocean acidification. All of these factors could have dramatic effects on both marine ecosystems and human populations, so it is essential that we gain a fuller understanding of them and work together to limit environmental damage.

Professor of Physical Oceanography Meric Srokosz coordinates the Rapid Climate Change programme looking at how changes in the north Atlantic circulation will affect UK and northwest European climate.

“Join us for an expert’s review of the impact of climate change on our planet’s vital ocean ecosystems”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Please email Dave at DHweb2(at)live.co.uk for a PDF copy for you to print and display.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Humanists for a Better World: Global Problems – Why Bother?

Wednesday 22^nd July 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With ‘Humanists for a Better World’ co-founder Marilyn Mason

Humanists have always been concerned about global problems such as human rights abuses, poverty, wars, hunger, and exploitation of the poor, yet globally there remains much to be done, and despite public statements to the contrary, issues such as climate change and environmental sustainability remain low priorities for most UK politicians. Humanism is a worldview which inspires considered action, and Marilyn Mason will explain why she thinks humanists should get involved in changing things for the better, and how she co-founded Humanists for a Better World to encourage not just more discussion and information-sharing, but more collective humanist action too. Marilyn will be focussing on the positive actions we can take communally, politically and as individuals.

Marilyn Mason was the British Humanist Association’s first ever Education Officer. She co-founded Humanists for a Better World, represents the British Humanist Association in the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, and is on the steering group of Transition Town Kingston.

“Join us as we explore a range of ways in which we can individually and collectively help improve our world”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Navitus Bay Windfarm

Wednesday 25^th February 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Navitus Bay Communications Manager Sean Parsons

With ever-increasing global energy consumption, dire warnings of potentially catastrophic climate change, and the UK becoming increasingly reliant on imported energy sources, wind farms offer a potential solution to our energy problems.

Sean Parsons from Navitus Bay Development Ltd will claim that the proposed wind farm situated approximately 10km south of Dorset and the Isle of Wight will help the UK to meet its climate change targets and contribute to security of energy supply, but the controversial project is being vigorously opposed by local councils and the National Trust who fear it will damage our region’s tourism-based economy. Wind farms have also been criticised for their intermittent output and the need for conventional energy back up.

“Join us for an informative introduction to the controversial Navitus Bay Wind Farm”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Science & Pseudoscience: How to Tell the Difference

Thursday 17^th July 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

A Discussion with Science Journalist Peter Hadfield

In these times of information overload, media hype, disinformation, and chequebook journalism, how do reasonably intelligent people ensure we are accurately informed about science? What sources can we trust and what are the relative merits of books, websites, newspapers, and scientific journals?

With a particular focus on the topical issue of climate change, science journalist Peter Hadfield and Chair of Dorset Humanists David Warden will discuss how credible information is gathered, how to spot bogus information, and how to minimise the risk of being deceived.

Peter Hadfield is a firm defender of science and a staunch critic of pseudoscience, creationism, and global warming denialism. He regularly debunks pseudoscience and conspiracy theories on his YouTube channel, Potholer54, which now has approaching 90,000 subscribers, and also hosts the annual Crocoduck Awards.

“Join us for this lively discussion in which Peter Hadfield will guide us through the process of defending ourselves against pseudoscience and scientific deception”.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed by car and on foot via it’s rear driveway in Gervis Road. Gervis Road is well lit and has roadside parking available).

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

The Paradox of Skepticism and the Dangers of Bogus Skeptics

Saturday 12^th April 2.00pm  
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Richard Wilson, skeptical activist and author of ‘Don't Get Fooled Again: The Sceptic's Guide to Life’.

Skeptics try to take a rational, evidence-based approach to life, yet a cold hard appraisal of the evidence suggests that, for most human beings, rationality is a constant struggle.

Even those disseminating wholly bogus ideas, from corporate pseudo-science to paranoid conspiracy theories, have sought to appropriate the language of rational inquiry with increasingly disastrous results. But what are the hallmarks of bogus skepticism, and how can we distinguish it from the genuine article? In this presentation, Richard highlights the problems that can arise when peddlers of myth and quackery succeed in portraying themselves as skeptics.

Richard’s book ‘Don't Get Fooled Again: The Sceptic's Guide to Life’ highlights the extent to which we are all vulnerable to deception and delusion, and proposes practical ‘rules of thumb’ to minimise the risk of being fooled in future. ‘Don’t Get Fooled Again’ has been praised by George Monbiot as “rigorous, witty and beautifully-written”, slammed by Spiked Online for failing to be sceptical enough about climate change, and cited by the High Court in a strike-out of a defamation case against the Health and Safety Executive by one of those named in the book.

"Join us to hear author and skeptical activist Richard Wilson explain how to protect ourselves from the dangers of bogus skeptics”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Richard Wilson is a writer and activist with a particular focus on scepticism, corruption, human rights and freedom of expression. He studied philosophy at University College London, and has written for the New Humanist, New Statesman, Prospect Magazine and Comment is Free. His first book, Titanic Express, recounts his search for the truth about the death of his sister Charlotte, who was killed in Burundi in 2000. 

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Copenhagen & Climate Change

For the history, science and news about Climate Change post Copenhagen visit Dorset Humanist member crabsallover CATscience blog.

Not already a Dorset Humanist member? Join now and support our vital work.

1 Adult £12.60 2 Adults at same address £18.90

Dorset Humanists & 100 Bournemouth Activists - Copenhagen Climate Change summit - Target 350ppm CO2

BOURNEMOUTH THREE-FIVE-O

Damp but undaunted! People from local organizations including Dorset Humanists, East Dorset Friends of the Earth, Poole Agenda 21, Christian Aid, Bournemouth and Poole Greenpeace, Transition Towns, East Dorset Green Party,  gathered in steady drizzle and wind on Bournemouth beach. 

The time for complacency is long past. The latest scientific advice is that to prevent the danger of catastrophic the global warming CO2 level should be no higher than 350 ppm. However it is already 389 ppm and rising. Real and urgent action is needed now to address the problem. photos: Manuela Boeckle

More really amazing photos http://www.350.org/ of 5200 events from 181 countries On 24 October, for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history.

All 22,000 photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/sets/

About: http://www.350.org/about

Mission: http://www.350.org/mission

Science: http://www.350.org/about/science

Copenhagen summit Dec 7 – Dec 18: http://en.cop15.dk/