Climate change and energy

Tim Foxon, Leeds University, argues that, although the government’s latest plans for a low carbon economy are an important step forward, they are hampered by an ideological belief in market solutions.

Article from SGR Newsletter No 38; winter 2010
 

Gareth Dale outlines proposals for a major increase in employment in the UK climate sector.

Article from SGR Newsletter No. 38; winter 2010
 

Stuart Parkinson discusses the latest twists and turns in the climate science debate, and its relevance for public interest science.

Editorial from SGR Newsletter no. 38; winter 2010
 

Article by Stuart Parkinson, SGR, orignally published as a blog entry on the website of The Times newspaper, 25 November 2009
 

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at the Climate Emergency Copenhagen Forum, London, 7 November 2009
 

Presentation by Dr Tim Foxon, Sustainability Research Institute, Leeds University, at the SGR conference, 24 October 2009
 

Presentation by Prof David Webb, Praxis Centre, Leeds Metropolitan University at the SGR conference, 24 October 2009
 

Presentation by Dr Gareth Dale, School of Social Sciences, Brunel University at the SGR conference, 24 October 2009
 

The detrimental effects of commercial influence on science and technology

SGR report by Chris Langley and Stuart Parkinson; October 2009

It is no secret that links between the commercial sectors and science and technology are increasing. Many policy-makers, business leaders and members of the science community argue that this is positive for both science and society. But there is growing evidence that the science commercialisation agenda brings with it a wide range of detrimental effects, including bias, conflicts of interest, a narrowing of the research agenda, and misrepresentation of research results. This report takes an in-depth look at the evidence for these effects across five sectors: pharmaceuticals; tobacco; military/defence; oil and gas; and biotechnology. Its findings make disturbing reading for all concerned about the positive role of science and technology in our society.
 

Nick Reeves, Alasdair Beal and Stuart Parkinson outline contrasting positions on the issue of low-carbon energy in the UK. In the first article, Reeves questions whether ministers can be trusted on the environment if they say that nuclear power and coal are a major part of the answer to Britain's energy needs. In the second, Beal questions whether it will be straightforward to avoid building new coal-fired power stations. In the third article, Parkinson discusses some recent UK energy modelling studies which demonstrate the possible low carbon, non-nuclear scenarios.

Three articles from SGR Newsletter no. 37; spring 2009