CLIMATE change has been brought into sharp focus in recent weeks ­— with Extinction Rebellion bringing their campaign to the doors of Bolton Town Hall ­— and the local authority becoming the eighth in Greater Manchester to declare a climate emergency.

Now Bolton will play host to a representative from the United Nations who will give a public talk on the issue exploring everything from whether the world is facing a climate emergency to "humankind pondering an existential threat, a climate crisis".

"The UN: Working to save the biosphere and our future" talk by Richard A Shirres MSc (App.EnvSc), MICE, C Eng will take place at Bolton School girls' division.

Richard is a a retired chartered engineer with a second degree in applied environmental science and a member of the United Nations Association.

He will speak about the founding of the UN and its subsequent developing, yet little recognised, role in championing "global ecological stewardship".

As well as discussing the questions "whether we have actually have a climate emergency?", Richard will examine UN's work, the real climate change threats but also what are the possible solutions.

Late last month environmentalists stood outside the town hall ahead of a full council meeting, armed with banners and urging councillors to support a climate emergency declaration.

Labour councillor Martin McMulkin tabled a motion, which commits the council to making its activities 'net-zero carbon' by 2030 and ensuring that all budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030.

The motion was debated for more than an hour before it was voted through by council.

Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP and four members of Farnworth and Kearsley First voted in favour of the motion, while the Conservatives, Cllr Mark Cunningham (Brexit), Cllr Marie Brady (Horwich and Blackrod First) and Cllr Paul Heslop (Farnworth and Kearsley First ) abstained.

The UN: Working to save the biosphere and our future will take place on Wednesday, September 18 at 7.00pm in the Bolton School girls’ division Great Hall.

Refreshments will be available beforehand from 6.30pm.

Parking will be available in the Girls’ Division Quad, which will be clearly signposted on the night.