The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers held its first annual lecture at the London Transport Museum on Tuesday, October 26.

Author, broadcaster, campaigner and environmentalist Jonathon Porritt addressed an audience of students, Liverymen and lighting industry professionals on ‘Lighting in a Low Carbon world.’

In his address, Porritt highlighted the important role lighting professionals, the industry and its products will play in cutting the world’s emissions and reducing the threat of global warming. Most notably, Porritt said, the industry will play a crucial role in helping people to understand the benefits of energy efficiency and making the investment in efficient lighting and other energy saving measures.

Bill Wright, Chairman of the Lightmongers’ Education Committee, said: “This Lecture is part of our efforts to educate more people about the art and science of lighting and the contribution the industry makes to everyday life and the environment. We want to run a lecture like this every year to give people more of an insight into the industry and the career opportunities it provides.”

He continued: “We’re delighted Jonathon agreed to be our first speaker and made such a passionate case for investing in energy efficiency measures. More and more people need to be made aware of the benefits of energy saving technology – from lighting through to renewable systems – and we’re determined to continue educating them about this and encouraging them to invest in it.”

Jonathon Porritt said: “I’m honored to have been asked to give the inaugural Lightmongers Annual Lecture. The world needs to cut its emissions and work towards stabilising its average temperature by the end of the century to limit the impact of accelerated climate change, and the lighting industry has a huge part to play in helping us to do that. I hope all those who attended the lecture understand more about the role lighting has to play in helping us to reduce our emissions and about the importance of being as energy efficient as possible.”