Taken from: http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-11-defence-case-wrapped-up/

Today saw the wrapping up of the defence's case. With the last defendant to speak giving their evidence yesterday, today saw the reading of lots of gripping material the prosecution did not seek to challenge.

Many seminal reports were quoted, such as the 2003 World Health Organisation Report that pointed out how climate change was responsible for 2.4% of worldwide diarrhoea in 2000. Also quoted was the 2006 Stern Review, commissioned by then Chancellor Gordon Brown. The report, authored by a former Chief Economist of the World Bank, exposed that each tonne of carbon was responsible for around £50 of social damage.

Written evidence from expert witnesses was also heard, such as Professor of population health Anthony McMichael, who wrote about the multiplicity of health problems climate induced disasters can provoke. He explained how cyclones, such as those seen in Haiti and Myanmar, kill, maim, impoverish, and have a major impact on mental health. Meanwhile biodiversity expert Christopher Vaughan explained how 10% of species are are at high risk of instinction for every 1 degree celcius rise in global mean temperature.

Extensive agreed facts were also delivered to the jury about the impacts on the local population of the East Midlands. DEFRA predictions reveal that if we continue to discharge large amounts of carbon emissions average summer temperatures in the East Midlands will rise by 4.4 degrees celcius. Meanwhile, a report published by Nottinghamshire County Council revealed there had been several severe weather events in the county in the past decade, citing incidents of extreme flooding, snow, and gales. The defence counsel explained the huge impacts the events continue to have on public services, costing the millions of pounds.

The most poignant evidence of the day came in the form of personal testimonies from individuals who had personally been affected by the effects of climate change. Three came from homeowners in the UK, who explained the devastating impacts flooding had on their financial situations, physical and mental health. They testified their belief the situation was getting worse and worse as climate change kicks in. A further testimony came from individuals in the low-lying Tuvula islands, who explained that climate change was not only causes mass flooding, but also that destruction of coral reefs was destroying their fisheries.

It was set out to the jury that Ratcliffe on Soar power station emits almost 10,000,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Tomorrow, the prosecution and defence will give their closing speeches, and the judge is expected to begin summing up.