Climate change and energy

SGR produces a range of outputs on the issue of 'Climate change and energy'. This covers climate change science, technological and policy responses to climate change, energy supply technologies (especially renewable energy and nuclear power), energy use and energy efficiency (including in transport and buildings), and related policy and lifestyle issues.

Ocean acidification: a threat to life

Wiebina Heesterman examines the other threat from carbon dioxide emissions: that of ocean acidification.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 8 June 2016

Graph of UK carbon footprint

How big is the average Briton’s carbon footprint, really?

After a year in which climate policy has gone backwards in the UK, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, analyses the latest data on our contribution to climate change, and finds some disturbing results.

ResponsibleSci blog, 10 May 2016

Reassessing the Chernobyl death toll

Dr Ian Fairlie argues that the health impacts of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are continuing and are not taken into account by governments and health agencies.

ResponsibleSci blog, 25 April 2016

Statistically assessing of the risks of commercial nuclear energy

As we approach the 5th anniversary of the Fukushima emergency and 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Spencer Wheatley, Prof Benjamin Sovacool and Prof Didier Sornette argue that the risks of another major nuclear accident are much greater than the industry believes.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 7 March 2016

UK climate policy unravelling

The government claims that the UK is taking a leading role in tackling climate change - but support mechanisms for renewable energy and energy conservation are rapidly being cut. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines what is going on.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 23 February 2016

Flights from sense: how space tourism could alter the climate (February 2016)

Philip Chapman investigates the potential environmental impacts should space tourism recover from its recent setbacks and become a thriving global industry.

23 February 2016

RAF Tornado

UK Military-Industrial Interests and Climate Change

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that UK science and technology resources are being prioritised for military activities at the expense of those needed to tackle climate change.

Presentation at the People's Climate Summit, Paris

Online publication: 17 December 2015

Scorched desert image

A climate of insecurity

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, critically examines the UK’s latest policies on climate change and security in the context of the Paris climate negotiations – and argues for a major change in direction.

ResponsibleSci blog, 27 November 2015

Catching CO2

The 20% solution: look up, wise up, cheer up

Dr Laurence Matthews, Cap and Share UK, outlines concepts and strategies for keeping 80% of fossil fuels in the ground.

Presentation at SGR conference 2015; online publication: 12 November 2015

Solar panels

Progress towards all-renewable electricity supplies

Prof Keith Barnham, Imperial College London, presents new analysis comparing the progress towards 100% renewable electricity supply in the UK with that in Germany. He argues that this goal could be reached in the UK before the planned completion of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station - if government policies are changed.

Presentation at SGR conference; online publication: 4 November 2015