‘We must get our act together to create cleaner and more prosperous world’

RED board days can be linked to more intense rainfall driven by climate change, said a scientist at a sold-out climate talk at Leander Club.

Professor Christopher Merchant, a climate scientist from the University of Reading, shared unpublished records from the Environment Agency and the Met Office on Wednesday last week.

The analysis revealed a localised connection between red board days and high rainfall intensity, with a long-term increase in rainfall traceable back to global climate change.

More than 80 people attended the event, In Our Hands: Our Climate, Our River, Our Future, which was part of a programme for Great Big Green Week, which ended on Sunday having attracted almost 2,000 people. Prof Merchant said: “Climate change has led to more winters with intense rainfall in recent decades and there tends to be more red board days in those years. Until we stabilise the climate, I expect these trends to continue.”

During red board days, rowers are not permitted on the water, affecting training and leisure, with the changes to river conditions having the potential to affect events.

Greg Searle, a British Olympic rower with one gold and two bronze medals spanning 20 years, hosted the event.

He said: “I now help organise and umpire rowing races. An increasing number of winter races are being cancelled because the river is running too fast and this is a very worrying trend.”

He noted that the world is heading towards becoming 3C or more warmer before the end of the century but faster action towards net zero can avoid that.

Prof Merchant added: “The world can solve this problem if we get our act together. It’s still possible to have a cleaner, greener and more prosperous world.”

Councillor Ken Arlett, said: “Christopher led us from where we were years before, to where we will be in 50 years, and the conclusion was not for the faint-hearted.

“Christopher dealt with facts that he had gathered before and from his time at Reading University, rather than just putting together a few sound bites.

“The talk was in a very laid-back style, easy to listen to and understand, informative in detail, and quite easy for him to get his message across.

“The message was simple, it is down to all of us to stop global warming, not just the few. Christopher thank you for an amazing evening of information.

“A Special thank you to Kate Oldridge and her team at Greener Henley, for setting up such a wonderful week of events, perhaps now a good time to come and join the Greener Henley team.”

Councillor Laurence Plant, a conservative town councillor and owner of Henley Practice, said: “Greener Henley’s event at Leander Club last week was a powerful example of how to engage new voices, spark real learning and turn conversation into meaningful community action which drives real change. This kind of work is vital.”

Kate Oldridge, executive director of Greener Henley, said that with the forthcoming Henley women’s and royal regattas, it was important to look after the River Thames.

She said: “With the eyes of the rowing world about to turn to Henley, it’s vital we look at how to protect the river at the heart of our town, not just for this summer but for generations to come.”

Greener Henley has a goal of engaging 5,000 people by December 2028, which is around 25 per cent of the community.

The charity is calling on residents to step up and support climate and nature in three ways: joining the movement, making a “Pledge for the Planet” and donating.

For more information, visit www.greeneerhenley.org.uk