AS politicians argue about whether they should be heading to Egypt for Cop 27, against the backdrop of the pretty ineffective ­conclusions of the last ­gathering of world leaders in Glasgow, the Camden New Journal and the ­Islington Tribune have organised one of their own.

And you don’t need to worry about how you’re going to get there: it’s free and on the doorstep at Conway Hall in Holborn. We have put together a stellar line-up of talks which are aimed at furthering debate, getting minds thinking and finding pledges for a way forward.

It might not have government heads there, but we are hoping the event on Saturday November 12 will prove inspirational to those who attend.

At each session there will be time made available for comments and questions after a panel debate. We want to hear as many voices as possible. Inside the famous hall in Red Lion Square, meanwhile, there will be booked exhibition stands from groups and organisations with something to say about how we can all help tackle the threat of climate change.

THE LINE-UP

11am: What role does the media play in addressing climate change?
• Justin Rowlatt, BBC Climate Editor
• Nafeez Ahmed, investigative journalist
• Bel Jacobs, former Style editor at Metro

12.30-1.30pm: Lunchtime talk: Franny Armstrong, Age of Stupid filmmaker, and former Green Party co-leader Sian Berry in conversation with Dan Carrier

1.45pm: How do we talk to children about climate change?
• Megan Kennedy-Woodard, climate psychologist
• Chris Haughton, children’s author and illustrator
• Lesley Manning, film and TV director

3-4pm: Direct action and the law: how far should protest go?
• Paul Powlesland, lawyer and climate activist
• Tim Crosland, Plan B Earth
• Rollie, HS2 tunnel campaigner

Many believe that in the absence of a clear strategy from governments here and abroad, it is grassroots movements that can build the momentum for change. Certainly we believe a good, functioning local newspaper should be helping to expand our knowledge and be part of the solution.

Having seen so little come out of Cop26 last year, our team no longer feel able to sit on the sidelines and simply report the news.

We must do more and our “North London COP” is part of that ambition. Our thanks go to the Islington Climate Centre, which has helped with the organisation, and the sponsors who are helping us stage the conference.

Guests on the day include the BBC’s climate change editor Justin Rowlatt, the Age of Stupid film director Franny Armstrong, the former co-leader of the Green Party Sian Berry, and investigative journalist Nafeez Ahmed.

We will hear from a diverse range of speakers: some you may agree with, some you may not, but they are all giving up their time with the common purpose of forging a response to what is now rightly described as a climate emergency.

November 12 is the perfect date for the event as it is the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice – a series of peaceful demonstrations are planned elsewhere in the city – and we hope our conference will compliment the wider action, making sure it is all headline news in our newspaper and beyond. Naturally, we will be reporting on all the advice and ideas that come out of the talks.

While Greta Thunberg has said she won’t attend Cop27 in Egypt due to her concerns about “greenwashing” and it has often been questioned how effective these global summits actually are, we want to make sure our readers’ voice is heard in a meaningful way. Remember, this is a free event and open to all those interested in the debate with seats in the meeting allocated on a first come, first served basis. Conway Hall’s cafe will be open and there is disability access.

Come to Conway Hall [Geni_CC SA-BY 4.0]

Council leader Georgia Gould has agreed to help open the event with a speech on how she feels the issue is being tackled here.

We will investigate what role the media has; how to talk to your children about heavy and sometimes frightening predictions for what is becoming a near future; and then a subject which has been close to news agenda for weeks: how far should people go to protest?

At lunchtime, we will stop for an “in conversation” talk with Ms Armstrong and Ms Berry hosted by the New Journal’s Dan Carrier. Ms Armstrong is a director whose credits include the recent investigation into the state of Britain’s rivers, Rivercide, featuring George Monbiot and Feargal Sharkey.

Many will remember how in 2009, she enlisted the help of the late actor Pete Postlethwaite to help tell the story she had written that looked into the near future and asked: Why did we not do something when we had the chance? She followed the story of a wind farm proposed in Bedfordshire – and how a misinformed campaign by neighbours put paid to a green energy plan.

She did not rest there: following the international success of Age Of Stupid, Ms Armstrong then established the 10:10 campaign, which helped companies, businesses, groups and others knock 10 per cent off their annual carbon emissions.

The 10:10 charity continues its work, and has morphed into other groundbreaking campaigns, including the Fixing Factory, which recently opened a new centre in Queen’s Crescent. We think teachers and parents will be particularly interested in our session on how to discuss the issue with children without making them fearful. Should we switch off the kitchen radio when they sit down for their breakfast cornflakes?

Psychologist Megan Kennedy-Woodard, one of our guest speakers, will give practical tips, including help identifying unhelpful patterns of thinking. We are delighted that this discussion will also include the award-winning film maker Lesley Manning, whose short, Seven, featured children talking about climate change, and ac­claimed author Chris Haughton, whose debut children’s book A Bit Lost won a series of awards.

Our event comes as a new United Nations report says Europe grew warmer at more than twice the global average over the past 30 years. Perhaps this will be no surprise to some after a blisteringly hot summer where the 40oC temperature mark was pierced for the first time in the UK and October passed with unseasonably mild conditions. We have also seen chaotic weather events around the world. It is clear climate change is no longer some­thing for the distant future,

The new prime minister Rishi Sunk and others may be dithering about whether to go to Cop27 – we hope readers will be much more sure about joining us at Conway Hall on November 12. We’d love to see you there.

l The event is free and you do not need a ticket but you can register at evenbrite.co.uk Search ‘North London COP’