The first event, A Dialogue on Climate Change with Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities in London, took place at City Hall last week.

The event outlined the impact of global warming on the many countries around the world with which London’s diverse communities are linked, and discussed what Londoners can do to prevent catastrophic climate change.

“Cities are responsible for 75% of greenhouse gases emissions, while climate change is forcing vulnerable communities in poorer countries to adapt to unprecedented changes to their environment,” said Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

Gareth Thomas, Minister for Trade and Development, joined Lee Jasper, the Mayor of London’s equalities and policing policy director, and Mark Watts, the Mayor of London’s climate change adviser last week to launch the first in a series of events.

Other participants included members from London Sustainability Exchange, Capacity Global and London21.

Mr Thomas, said: “Climate change is the biggest long-term threat to reducing poverty.

“It is the world’s poorest who will suffer the most as hurricanes and floods become more devastating, as higher temperatures lead to more disease, as crops fail and water becomes scarcer because of unreliable rainfall.

“More than 200m of the world’s poorest could be left homeless by 2050 because of rising sea levels, floods and drought.”

He stressed the importance of negotiations for a post-2021 climate deal at the United Nations talks in Bali next month.

Mr Livinstone added: “Countries around the world with which London’s diverse communities are linked such as India, Bangladesh, the Caribbean and Africa, face many of the consequences of catastrophic climate change.

“[This] event has highlighted how all London communities can play a role in tackling climate change.”

Future events in the series include discussions on biodiversity, adaptation and mitigation.

Dana Gornitzki

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