Kate ScotterA climate change expert will this week give a stark warning of the flooding chaos Norfolk could face if urgent action is not taken.Professor Kevin Anderson, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia, will be one of the speakers at a public meeting titled 'Climate Emergency Copenhagen' on Wednesday.Kate Scotter

A climate change expert will this week give a stark warning of the flooding chaos Norfolk could face if urgent action is not taken.

Professor Kevin Anderson, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia, will be one of the speakers at a public meeting titled 'Climate Emergency Copenhagen' on Wednesday.

The Norwich-based researcher will outline the scientific evidence of human induced climate change and the need for immediate and radical action by governments.

His warning comes ahead of next month's Copenhagen climate summit.

Professor Anderson said: 'Action needs to be taken with the next year otherwise there the UK and Norfolk will see a massive impact by 2020.

'Within Norfolk, altered rainfall will have significant implications for agriculture and domestic water use. Coastal retreat will be forced on many communities, nature reserves will risk inundation with sea water, and large coastal towns will face major social and economic disruption.

'However, there is a choice. We need to put as much pressure as possible on the negotiations that will be going to Copenhagen to bring about a meaningful global deal.'

The Copenhagen summit will see delegates from 192 countries hold two weeks of talks in the Danish capital aimed at establishing a new global treaty on climate change.

To raise awareness of the summit, climate change campaigners will hold the public meeting in the United Reformed Church in Princes Street, Norwich, at 7.30pm, on Wednesday and will hold a march and rally on Saturday, November 21.

The events have been organised by the Campaign Against Climate Change, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace supporters and Transition Norwich.

They are part of the UK-wide campaign 'Stop Climate Chaos Coalition', backed by dozens of organisations including Oxfam, UNICEF, the Women's Institute, UNISON and other trades unions.

Trevor Phillips, from Campaign Against Climate Change, said: 'There is now a real climate emergency and we shall have to press politicians to do more at the Copenhagen summit and after it.

'While government action is now vitally urgent, appropriate action can prevent disaster, create many jobs and bring great benefits to our economy and society, including here in Norfolk.'

For more information about the events, email norwichcacc@live.co.uk or call; Mr Phillips on 07794 690322.