With nuclear issues leading the global political agenda, in an exclusive piece for the Responsible Science blog, based on his new book 'Fallout: A Journey Through the Nuclear Age, From the Atom Bomb to Radioactive Waste,' science writer Fred Pearce exposes the toxic and security risks of the UK’s growing 'Mt Plutonium' – 130 tons and rising of plutonium dioxide left behind by an energy technology that never took-off and is no longer wanted.
As the UK government chooses World Environment Day to announce plans for a third, polluting runway at Heathrow Airport, and new reports point to air quality worsening internationally, May van Schalkwyk and Emer O’Connell look at the global public health crisis of air pollution, and the key steps needed to tackle it.
Article from SGR Newsletter no.46; published online with an update: 5 June 2018
In the first of two articles marking the centenary of former Astronomer Royal, Martin Ryle (1918 – 1984), Dr Alan Cottey describes how, early on, he saw the flaws in nuclear and fossil fuel energy and how renewables were the answer.
North Sea oil began flowing into the UK economy in 1975 and production peaked in 1999. Ever since, the industry has faced inevitable decline. Now, writes Andrew Simms, a new report [1] reveals how decommissioning its infrastructure is raising questions of cost, contradictions in climate and energy policy, and the prospect of a huge bill being passed on to the next generation.
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un have reminded many of the risks of nuclear conflict, but have we forgotten the dangers of simply owning the weapons? David Cullen and Peter Burt, Nuclear Information Service, summarise a recent report on the frightening scale of accidents within Britain’s military nuclear complex - and the shocking reality that the full extent of the problem can’t be known because no central record has been kept.
Article from SGR Newsletter no.46; published online: 23 April 2018
With tensions high between the West and Russia, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines the growing threat of nuclear war - including key scientific and technical data - as well as the potential of a new UN treaty which bans nuclear weapons.
Presentation at a Green Party public meeting, Lancaster; online publication: 16 April 2018
SGR patron Prof Keith Barnham reflects on his work with Scientists Against Nuclear Arms investigating the military diversion of civilian nuclear materials – and considers the relevance for academics and activists today.
Article from SGR Newsletter no.46; online publication: 12 April 2018
In the nuclear armed countries, our politicians routinely tell us that nuclear weapons are the ultimate guarantee of our security. They also claim that nuclear weapons have kept the peace through nuclear deterrence since their use by the USA against Japan in 1945 at the end of the Second World War. Dr Philip Webber, SGR, presents evidence in this article that throws serious doubt on both these claims.
Article from Huffington Post UK website; update with references published: 1 April 2018
Dr Rachel Freeman, University of Manchester, looks at why reducing carbon emissions in the UK transport sector is only happening very slowly, and how it can be sped up.
Article from SGR Newsletter no.46; online publication: 22 March 2018
With tensions high between the West and Russia, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines the growing threat of nuclear war - including key scientific and technical data - as well as the potential of a new UN treaty which bans nuclear weapons.
SGR patron Prof Keith Barnham reflects on his work with Scientists Against Nuclear Arms investigating the military diversion of civilian nuclear materials – and considers the relevance for academics and activists today.
Dr Jan Maskell summarises SGR’s activities during our science education week.
Dr Rachel Freeman, University of Manchester, looks at why reducing carbon emissions in the UK transport sector is only happening very slowly, and how it can be sped up.