Talks
Julian ParenA photographic evening: The Antarctic Experience or The global climate change
Itinerary:
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Julian has a choice of three talks:
1. A photographic evening: Going South - the Antarctic Experience
2. The global climate challenge
3. Exploring the islands and western coast of Scotland
Julian Paren
I am a physicist by training with a PhD in glaciology awarded by the University of Cambridge for research on the electrical properties of ice carried out at the Scott Polar Research Institute. After a spell as Nuffield Senior Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham I joined the British Antarctic Survey in 1976 and made nine visits to Antarctica. In my later years at BAS I was Director’s Assistant and Head of Information and Archives. Throughout my time at BAS and in retirement I ran adult-education courses for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning.
Currently I am Course Director on four courses; two are thirteen-week e-Learning courses studied by students around the world:
1. The Global Climate Challenge: The Science Framework
2. The Global Climate Challenge: Politics, Technology and the Future
3. Residential weekend course at Madingley Hall, Antarctica and Environmental Change, (7 lectures).
4. Day School at British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, Environmental Change and Antarctica (5 lectures).
I accompanied the composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davis to the Antarctic in 1997 as he drew inspiration for his Antarctic Symphony (No 8), and was Tour Leader and Lecturer for Cambridge University alumni for an Antarctic cruise in 1993. For five years, I was also an Associate Lecturer for the Open University’s third level course on Oceanography.
I am a well-regarded photographer who blends Antarctic images with music in audio-visual presentations. I am invited to photographic events throughout the UK. This year I was the photographer chosen for the Royal Geographical Society event Sustainable Travel – Antarctica. I often provide a full evening of readings, music and images without mentioning science! Music is important to me. I have been Chairman of the Cambridge Holiday Orchestra Association with up to 250 children attending each course.
I am concerned about the environment and am a member of the Transition Towns movement and organize green events in my village. We have a smallholding and own woodland which we harvest for fuel. I am able to show other people my love of nature by contributing to the UK’s database of imagery of the entire land area of UK and Ireland entitled www.geograph.org.uk
My family has spent the majority of our holidays in western Scotland and the Hebrides. I was introduced to the area as an Edinburgh University undergraduate when a member of the mountaineering club. My lifetime photographic record of this region and experiences of so many islands and mountains does allow me to speak from considerable knowledge and illustrate extremely well this region’s tourist potential.
A photographic evening: Going South - the Antarctic Experience
Up to ten audiovisual presentations and a travelogue with diary readings. Music from Mahler, Saint-Saens, Orff, Maxwell Davis, Pink Floyd and many more. Penguins, icebergs, people, campsites, sunsets, mountain ranges, glaciers, ice, ice and more ice.
The global climate challenge
If we accept the scientific consensus on the causes of past changes to our climate and accept that the scientists have the tools to predict future climate, then individuals and societies are in a dilemma. How can Mankind put in place globally fair and acceptable policies to enable the Earth’s climate system to stabilize in a way to avoid dangerous climate change? We explore the range of political and low carbon options, the extent of dangerous climate change, and how much the individual can do irrespective of government persuasions. Without a fast restructuring of energy generation, it would seem impossible to meet the targets proposed by the EU that need to be copied by the rest of the world.
Exploring the islands and western coast of Scotland
The Scottish islands provide some of the quietest and most beautiful stretches of the UK coastline – perfect for relaxation on holiday from the stresses of modern life. But is there a downside? – The weather, the midges, perhaps? After 40 years of annual visits we recommend where and when to visit, and introduce you to islands that are often bypassed by tourists yet seem more rewarding for those in search of tranquillity. The talk is extensively illustrated and focuses on Berneray, Canna, Coll, Colonsay, Eigg, Fair Isle, Foula, Great Bernera, Muck, and the coastal fringe of mainland Scotland.
The talks are are supplemented by audiovisual presentations.