Citizen's climate assembly: How members of the public were picked
Sky's Lisa Holland has spoken to some of those picked to attend the event in Birmingham.
Saturday 25 January 2020 19:45, UK
Organisers of the UK's first citizens' climate assembly say they have gone to great lengths to select people from all walks of life and all parts of the country to take part in the event.
Invited by parliament, 30,000 people were randomly sent letters telling them about the assembly and asking if they would like to attend.
Some 1,800 replied and, out of that number, 110 were selected based on their demographic.
We spoke to a GP, a former chef and a retired dental technician on the first weekend of the assembly in Birmingham.
None of their second names were given.
Ibrahim, a GP, lives in Surrey but is originally from Nigeria.
He said he was keen to take part having witnessed the impact of climate change first-hand in Africa.
"It's something we can change and have an impact on for our children and children's children," he said.
We know that to reach the target of net zero emissions by 2050, radical changes are needed on everything from how we travel, how we heat our homes to what we eat.
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The Committee on Climate Change advises the government on prospective policy and says we should be reducing the consumption of beef, lamb and dairy by 20%.
Taking part in the discussions, we also found Lauren, who used to be a chef in the RAF.
Could it be a tricky ask of forces personnel to come back to a plant-based meal after a hard day's work?
Her reply: "I was quite aware before this weekend. I recycled. But I didn't realise the impact of climate change and the changes we need to make."
The science paints a frightening picture but the politics lags behind.
I asked David, a retired dental technician from Sunderland, whether he thinks the government will listen to the findings of the citizens' climate assembly.
He said: "When I came here I had my doubts but I've been reassured and the government has to listen. The government can't impose policy.
"I think the government will take notice."