Keynote Speakers
The excellent Keynote Speakers were Prof G. Wyn Jones, Annie Merry, Director Faiths4Change and Janet Finch Saunders MS/AS
Prof G. Wyn Jones
Graduated in Biochemistry and Soil Science, and went on to the Universities of British Columbia, Oxford, and UC Los Angeles, before returning to Bangor. He worked for many years on soil-plant relations and plant eco-physiology, especially the mechanisms for plant adaptation to drought and salinity stress. This led to a growing and continuing interest in the sustainable welfare of the affected communities, as well as their environment.
In 1983 he was awarded a DSc by Oxford University and a personal chair by the University of Wales. With Dr Tony Chamberlain, established the Centre for Arid Zone Studies. In 1989 Gareth became manager, and later, chair, of the Strategic Plant Science Research Programme of the UK Department for International Affairs.
Appointed Chief Scientist and Deputy Chief Executive for the Countryside Council for Wales on its establishment in 1991.
Gareth has been involved in the Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust, the Wales Rural Forum, Coed Cymru, and the Bardsey Island Trust.
He co-authored the 2010 report to Welsh Government on “Land Use and Climate Change” and, in 2019, published a book “Energy – the Great Driver: Seven Revolutions and the Challenges of Climate Change”.
Annie Merry, Director Faiths4Change
Annie has worked within the voluntary sector in drug & alcohol misuse; youth homelessness; fuel poverty and food insecurity and the statutory sector in waste management – kerbside recycling schemes and waste education.
Annie moved to Liverpool to work with faith communities, local residents and agencies from all sectors as the Coordinator of the Merseyside faith and environment pilot project Operation EDEN (2004 – 07); begun by the Right Reverend Bishop James Jones. Operation EDEN grew into the Northwest wide charity Faiths4Change in 2007, Annie became and remains the Director.
Faiths4Change is currently working with Liverpool City Region Faith Leader on civil and climate engagement; the Diocese of Liverpool on Carbon Net Zero; Wirral Council leading Cool Places of Worship (co-created with places of worship) and the Archdiocese Environmental Task Group.
Annie is a member of the City Region Nature Partnership – Nature Connected; the City Region Climate Action Partnership; Cool Wirral Partnership; the City Region Community Growers network and Liverpool Friends of the Earth.
She was awarded the Liverpool Echo Environment Champion in 2015 for her work on the environment and health and wellbeing across Merseyside.
Janet Finch Saunders MS/AS
Senedd Constituency Member for Aberconwy and Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change
A prolific campaigner on the need to safeguard biodiverse habitats, as the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Janet is a sitting and active member of the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee and is joint Vice-Chair of the Cross-party Group for a Clean Air Act.
Janet is a keen businesswoman and entrepreneur and has founded several successful local businesses. She is supportive of new start-ups and established SMEs.
Politically, Janet’s key focuses are ensuring more investment in health and social services – particularly for the elderly and those suffering with mental health illnesses; reducing regulation and red tape for farmers; backing Welsh food production; ensuring the full rollout of superfast broadband to rural areas; developing a stronger economy; and reducing waste in Government at all levels.
As the Wales Environment Link Harbour Porpoise Champion and living in the North Wales seaside resort of Llandudno, Janet is passionate about marine conservation. She is actively working to implement a green recovery that balances economic prosperity, including providing long-term clean energy and marine job opportunities, with advancements in legislation to safeguard the environment.