Celebrating Those Facing Climate Change Challenges

Sir David urged the science, technology and innovation sector to work together with the environmental community in order to meet the challenges ahead. He praised CIWEM and the Institution's partners for the work they were doing, so it was appropriate that CIWEM's award winners then showed how innovation can have a profound difference to the environment.

There to collect the CIWEM's World of Difference Award, sponsored by Black & Veatch, was Dr Sally Mackenzie and Dr Matthew Simpson for their work at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. Ali Morse, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, collected her prize for winning the 2010 Living Wetlands Award, and CIWEM's Young Members Award, sponsored by Jacobs, was collected by James Glover from Mott MacDonald.

The dinner also saw the presentation of the first AWEinspiring Award. The Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW) joined CIWEM's Art and Environment Network in presenting the AWEinspiring Award to Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison, who have led the field of ecological art for over 40 years. It was given in recognition of a unique contribution to public understanding of climate change through the vehicle of art and creativity; building bridges through art and science.

Honorary Fellowship of the Institution was also presented to John Abraham, Managing Director, Biwater Treatment; Colin Challen, the former MP for Morley and Rothwell and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group; Dr Bob Earll of Coast CMS; and Walter Menzies, Chief Executive, Mersey Basin Business Foundation.

Nick Reeves, CIWEM's Executive Director, said after the event: "It was a wonderful night for celebrating the positive outcomes of hard work in the environment."

Costain, Grontmij and Mott MacDonald contributed to the evening by sponsoring the event. The dinner also helped raise over GBP2,000 for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. CIWEM is the UK organiser for this competition which attracts thousands of participants in over 30 countries, bringing together the world's brightest young people to encourage their interest in water and the environment.

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