There is no denying climate change is a growing concern for many.
Last year was provisionally the fourth warmest year on record in the UK, with plenty of named storms and weather warnings, according to the Met Office.
Karl Hansen took over and re-established the centre as The Living Rainforest in 2000
And it suggests 2025 will be one of the three warmest years for global average temperature, falling just behind the past two years.
But how is one of West Berkshire’s most unique attractions facing the climate crisis?
The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys has welcomed more than two million visitors over the past 30 years.
Newburytoday joined Karl Hansen, executive director for the Trust for Sustainable Living – the global education charity which runs the centre – on a tour through its three glasshouses, which are home to more than 850 types of tropical plants and exotic animals, many rare or endangered species.
“The sad thing is that climate change is a reality now,” said Mr Hansen.
“Every once in a while, we get this really hot summer. And that’s hard, because if it’s too hot, people might not want to come and visit us.
“But another thing we’ve noticed is that the winters are wetter.
“We’re worried about more intense storms, more intense weather and that, unfortunately, is another thing that goes with climate change.
“So far, we’ve been ok. But we have glasshouses,” said Mr Hansen, gesturing to the ceiling. “If that happens, it would be very disruptive.”
Indeed, climate change is responsible for causing rising sea levels and more extreme weather.
While the UK experienced its coolest summer last year since 2015, the winter months brought heavy rain, snow and strong winds to large parts of the country.
And the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss have prompted the trust to redesign its current infrastructure to be more climate resilient.
In addition, it is planning to build three new £1.5m buildings for education, engagement and eco-enterprise, with a £2.5m biodome over the existing glasshouses.
“These sorts of issues have been at the forefront of our minds for decades. It’s fundamental to everything we do,” Mr Hansen continued. “We’re looking to rebuild the whole thing. We want to make it this an exemplary sustainable building.
Karl Hansen in The Living Rainforest
“And we hope to achieve that in the next five years. It means raising investment in the future of The Living Rainforest.”
Another way the centre is responding to climate change is through its educational programme.
More than 20,000 schoolchildren visit the centre each year, with a monthly newsletter sent out to 16,000 teachers all across the South.
Mr Hansen explained the focus is to move away from eco anxiety towards eco action.
“Last year, we introduced a new tour, Climate Change and Human Impact,” he added.
“Another thing we’re doing is being involved in training teachers. “We’re working with the University of Reading, the Government, West Berkshire Council and other partners.
“In early February, we’re hosting teachers from all across West Berkshire here to help them with how they’re teaching climate change.
“We’ve had a lot of groups from Oxford University, executive training people and some student groups as well. They come here to learn about the kind of work we do.”
In November, Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to cut UK emissions by 81 per cent by 2035.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to cut UK greenhouse emissions by at least 81 per cent by 2035, compared to 1990 levels
An ambitious target, but how does this translate to supporting environmental organisations striving to achieve climate security locally?
Mr Hansen responded: “More can always be done. One of the problems is that local councils are so pinched for funding.
“That said, we do work well with WBC’s environment teams and appreciate their cooperation.
“It would be really good if the national Government was more supportive of the kind of work we do, because although we do so much with schools, we’re not formally part of the education system.
“Therefore, we don’t get funding for the education work we do even though you could argue we do perform a very important educational role, which is why schools will drive for three hours to visit us on a tour.
“I guess we fall a bit through the cracks in terms of formal funding.”
And so concluded our visit, just in time as columns of eager schoolchildren lined up to see the centre’s work for themselves.