Ireland’s leading expert on climate science is to speak at a one-day conference on climate change at Knock Shrine on Saturday April 30th.

The event – called Climate Change and Me – takes place in the Rest & Care Centre, Knock Shrine, and will present the latest science of climate change and the devastating consequences of climate change in Ireland and around the world. It will also explore the ways in which people can respond to the climate change crisis, in their own communities and everyday lives.

Professor John Sweeney, Ireland’s leading expert on climate science and a lecturer in geography at NUI Maynooth, is one of the keynote speakers at the event. Prof Sweeney teaches, writes and researches extensively on climate change and contributed to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

The event has been organised in response to Pope Francis’ ground-breaking document, Laudato Si’, which was published last May and presents the Church’s strongest response to date on the serious ecological and social challenges facing the planet.

In the Encyclical, Pope Francis critiques a modern culture of consumerism and irresponsible development. The Pope laments environmental degradation and global warming and calls for “swift and unified global action”. Laudato Si’ has become one of the most widely discussed papal documents in decades.

The full title of the conference is Climate Change and Me: Rising to the Laudato Si’ Challenge. It will feature a panel of speakers who will present the latest science on the stark reality that climate change is happening and it will also feature speakers on sustainability, who will explore the many ways in which we can respond to the Laudato Si’ challenge.

There will also be displays and stands on the day from a range of environmental and sustainability groups.

Registration costs €10.

For bookings, email: faithrenewal@knockshrine.ie or telephone: (094) 9388100.