Opening in November 2010, the £4m climate science gallery will transform the second floor of the Science Museum’s Wellcome Wing, its contemporary science hub. The new gallery will put people at the centre of the climate change story and an immersive, interactive experience will literally respond to the actions and decisions visitors make.
The new climate science gallery and extended programme has been made possible by support from principal sponsors Shell and Siemens, major funder the Garfield Weston Foundation, and with additional support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Patrons of the Science Museum.
Prof. Chris Rapley CBE, Director of the Science Museum, said:
“The Science Museum aims to provide the answers to people’s questions about the science of climate change, becoming a trusted destination for public engagement with climate science. The scientific community has, with some exceptions, concluded that climate change is real, largely driven by humans and requires a response. Our exhibition will deliver an immersive, enjoyable and memorable experience that explains their work and results and shows how science and technology can contribute to a low-carbon future. Our objective is to minimise the shrill tone and emotion that bedevils discussion of this subject, satisfying the interests and needs of those who accept that human-induced climate change is real, those who are unsure, and those who do not.”
Andreas J Goss, Chief Executive, Siemens plc said:
“Siemens is delighted to be a principal sponsor to this important climate science gallery. Climate change is the most serious challenge facing us all and it is imperative that young people in particular are inspired to engage in how we as a society adapt to a low-carbon world.”
“Siemens is a leading company providing innovative environmental infrastructure solutions. Last year globally our customers reduced their CO2 emissions by 210 million tonnes using products and services from our environmental portfolio, said Goss. “That’s the equivalent of the emissions from New York, Tokyo, Berlin and London put together. This global focus on environmental care is driving innovation and investment and underlines the importance of scientific advances in combating climate change.”
“The new climate science gallery at the Science Museum promises to play a central and authoritative role in the public debate on climate change.”
Visitors to the gallery will be able to find out about the science of the climate system, how climate has changed in the past and the work that scientists do to improve their understanding of the climate. They will also be able to discover how scientists have predicted changes to our climate in the future as well as developments in science and technology to respond to these changes.
An accompanying website will provide further access to this detailed content for a much wider audience, as will an engaging and lively three year programme of public events, school and community outreach activity, educational resources, and new art works and interventions in existing Science Museum galleries.
Visitor Information
The climate science gallery opens in November 2010
Admission: FREE
Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD
Open daily 10.00 to 18.00, except 24-26 December
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk / 0870 870 4868
For further information please contact:
Anne Keogh, Siemens plc,
Email: anne.keogh@siemens.com
Tel: 01276 696312
Mobile: 07808 823545
Notes to Editor:
Science Museum
From June 2009 the Science Museum is celebrating its hundredth birthday and a century of science with a year-long centenary programme to take the renowned institution into the future. For 100 years the Science Museum has been world-renowned for its historic collection, remarkable galleries and inspirational exhibitions. With around 15,000 objects on public display, the Science Museum’s collections form an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical change from the past few centuries. Aiming to be the best place in the world for people to enjoy science, the Science Museum makes sense of the science that shapes our lives, sparking curiosity, releasing creativity and changing the future by engaging people of all generations and backgrounds in science engineering, medicine, technology, design and enterprise. In 2008/09 the Science Museum was proud to have been awarded the Gold Award for Visitor Attraction of the Year by Visit London and a Silver Award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year by Enjoy England.
Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquified Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com. Shell runs a series of nationwide social investment programmes and sponsorships. For more information please see www.shell.co.uk/socialinvestment.
Siemens plc
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 167 years ago and now employs 16,915 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.2 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk.