Bumblebees vs Bluebells: Experts go head to head to choose an environmental mascot for Britain.
Earthwatch 2010 Debate, Thursday 14 October, 7pm–8.30pm, Royal Geographical Society

The annual Earthwatch debate is set to inspire and delight audiences once again this October, as a prestigious line-up of speakers go head to head in a battle to choose an environmental mascot for Britain.

The audience, who will vote for the winning species, can expect a lively and informative debate when five experts take to the stage at the Royal Geographical Society. The chair for the evening will be television broadcaster Andrea Catherwood.

Among the debaters will be Dr George McGavin, winner of the Earthwatch ‘Irreplaceable Species’ debate in 2008, when he won over the audience with his knowledge and wit, arguing the case for bees. This year Dr McGavin, BBC Lost Lands presenter and Honorary Research Associate at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, will once more set the audience buzzing about bumblebees as his choice for Britain’s environmental mascot.

Also entering the fray to find the archetypal British species will be Tony Juniper, writer, campaigner and independent environmental advisor who will sing the praises of the song thrush; Professor Stephen Hopper, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will be rooting for the oak tree; Dr Johannes Vogel, the Keeper of Botany at London’s Natural History Museum, will paint a colourful picture of the bluebell; and Dr Samantha Burgess, Earthwatch Senior Research Manager (Oceans), will make waves for deep-sea coral.

The debaters have been challenged to choose a species which both represents the UK’s invaluable natural heritage, but also the British people’s inimitable spirit. They will work to persuade the audience that their chosen species is vital to ecosystem health and British social and cultural identity.

Earthwatch executive vice president Nigel Winser says “Our annual debate at the RGS is always a thought provoking and entertaining event, while addressing serious environmental issues. Do come along and cast your vote and help us choose the new environmental mascot for Britain for the 21st Century.”

The Earthwatch 2010 events programme is kindly supported by the Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa.

The debate is free; donations are welcome on the door.

Doors open at 6pm (cash bar).

The debate will begin at 7pm. Tickets can be booked online, www.earthwatch.org/europe, or call +44 (0)1865 318856 or email events@earthwatch.org.uk

For more information please contact Jane Nijssen, Press Officer, + 44 (0) 1865 318852 / jnijssen@earthwatch.org.uk, or Jo-Anne Croft, PR Manager, + 44 (0) 1865 318852 / 07981 682871 / jcroft@earthwatch.org.uk

Editor’s Notes

Earthwatch is an international environmental charity whose mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

Earthwatch currently supports 50 environmental research projects in 24 countries by providing funds and paying volunteers who work alongside leading field scientists and researchers.

To ensure our research addresses pressing global environmental issues, Earthwatch preferentially funds projects that fit the focus of one or more of the following priority research areas: ecosystem services, climate change, oceans and cultural heritage.

More than 91,000 volunteers have joined Earthwatch scientists in the field since the charity began in 1971, contributing thousands of days to essential fieldwork.

Website: http://www.earthwatch.org/europe