Growth planned for Cambridge is unrealistic as drought declared across the region; chalk streams are in peril; and reservoirs run low.

Half of England is now officially in drought having experienced the driest July since records first began 200 years ago. Meanwhile Cambridgeshire (designated a ‘water stressed area’ by Defra with less water available per person than Madrid and Jerusalem and with its precious chalk streams running dry) is set to accommodate significant growth and planned development overseen by the planning authorities and the newly formed Greater Cambridge Growth Corporation. There is also the prospect of water intensive data centres and a ‘Forest City’ being built in proximity to Cambridge. At the same time reservoirs are running dry, farmers are struggling to irrigate their crops, and nature is paying a heavy price.

The above, in tandem with the ongoing impact of nonlinear climate change, and our: debt-laden water companies; water intensive lifestyles; outdated and failing water services infrastructure and potentially inequitable water transfer schemes, poses the question 'Where and how will we get our water from both now and in the future?'

The speaker, Cameron Adams, will consider whether existing efforts to address the problem are plausible. He will set out the need for a comprehensive ‘nature first’ (as opposed to a technical) approach towards how we value, source, manage and use water.

6.30pm: Welcome refreshments

7pm: Talk

7.45pm: Q&A and discussion

8.30pm: Close

Cameron Adams has recently joined the Friends of the Cam Steering Group. He worked for the Environment Agency (Anglian Area) until December 2023 promoting a wide range of sustainability-related issues (e.g. climate change mitigation and adaptation, water, biodiversity, natural capital and ecosystem services, energy and resource efficiency). Cameron has a wealth of experience in engaging with local authorities, water companies, developers, and various strategic partnerships (Natural Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnerships, Water Resource East) and environmental NGOs. During his time at the EA he undertook secondments with (the then) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Climate Adaptation Team which produced the department's first National Adaptation Plan and, more recently, at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority where I sat on the Mayor's Officer Support Group for climate change.

Description supplied by the event organiser.