Londoners to take centre stage in capital's first environment summit

The summit, organised by Professor Julian Hunt, a former Met Office head and a global warming expert based at UCL, will also hear major speeches from the Environment Secretary, Michael Meacher MP, and the Mayor of London.

In the most comprehensive survey of London's environment ever undertaken, topics for discussion during the two-day summit will include:

• Development - the Mayor wants more high rises, but recent health trends reveal that death by heat-stroke are more likely today than fatalities caused by hypothermia. The shrinking of open space in the capital has now made London hotter than New Delhi.
• Climate Change and Sea Level rises - they are affecting the Thames with the future likely to see more occasions where the Thames Barrier will need to be raised, but can it now provide adequate protection against flooding.
• Health and Environment - recently compiled data will reveal just how ill Londoner's have become as a direct result of our diminishing environment
• How does London's environment compare with Europe's other capital cities? New data will reveal how London compares.

Speaking on the eve of the London Environment Summit, Professor Julian Hunt said:

"This is the first summit of its kind that will put ordinary Londoner's in touch with experts on the major challenges facing London's environment. The summit will also put Londoner's in the driving seat ensuring - through informing - that a wide ranging environment strategy that London desperately needs is both fit for purpose and able to effectively inform the way we live and work."

Notes to Editors:

1. London's Environment and Future - A conference for Londoners, 17-18 September 2002, University College London, Gower Street. A full programme is available by contacting UCL Media Relations on the number above or by visiting the website.

2. Members of the Press wishing to attend should contact UCL Media Relations.

3. Professor Hunt is available for interviews. A 1,100-word feature length article on London's environment is available for use. Contact UCL Media Relations.

4. FOR LISTINGS EDITORS: London's Environment and Future: A conference for Londoner's, 17-18 September 2002, Senate House, University of London, Malet Street WC1. The first conference of its kind, it offers talks by policy makers and experts and an open forum for discussion on London's environment. Speakers include Richard Rogers. Michael Meacher MP and Ken Livingstone. For details and booking contact Leisa Clemente, 020 7679 3031, l.clemente@ucl.ac.uk or visit http://www.cpom.org/leaf for online registration.