Address to the 25th Anniversary UKELA Conference 2013

摘要

I would like to pay my respects to Lord Carnwath as it is a tribute to his persuasive powers that I am standing here this evening - feeling far outside my comfort zone. But it is of course also an honour, especially in your anniversary year - and a welcome chance to highlight the growing importance and scope of environmental law. I'm an astronomer - not an astrologer. This is a common confusion. I recall meeting a well-known Indian tycoon. He'd been told that I was the Astronomer Royal. He asked: 'Do you give the Queen her horoscopes?'. I said 'If she wanted one, I am the man she would ask'. The tycoon brightened up and asked me some questions. I played up. I offered him some insights: markets will fluctuate, there will be trouble in the Middle East, and so forth. He listened with rapt attention. But I then came clean and said 'I'm only a scientist, I have no crystal ball', and he then lost all interest in my prognostications.