Issues

We currently focus on four main issues: disarmament and security, climate change and energy, questions of who controls science and technology and issues surrounding new and emerging technologies. You will also see that we work on some other issues too. You can explore these with the menu on the left of this page and with the search function. Material in this section includes all SGR's main outputs since 2005, with a selection of the more important material from before then.

Flooding (Hermann Traub via Pixabay)

Climate change: an introduction to SGR's work

An introduction to SGR's concerns and activities on climate change.

Latest update: 28 August 2020

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Nuclear weapons: a beginner’s guide to the threats

As the world approaches the 'entry into force' of a new United Nations treaty banning nuclear weapons, Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the key scientific and technological information on the current threat from these arms.

Latest update: 16 December 2020

Cover of Scientists behaving responsibly report, shows a burger, a plane, a scientist in a lab and someone installing solar panels

Over 100 sign Science Oath for the Climate

Scientists, engineers and academics working in climate commit to personal behaviour change and calling out policy conflicts to tackle the climate emergency

10 December 2020

Drone and barbed wire

UK military & security policy announcements: SGR response

SGR response to UK govt announcements on boosting military spending, cutting aid spending, and slightly increasing climate spending.

30 November 2020

Existential Risk

Science governance: Do the current structures increase existential risks for society?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that we need to prioritise scientific research and improve communication of global catastrophic risks, if we are to avert disaster for human society and the natural environment.

19 November 2020

Plane (Holger Detjea via Pixabay)

What is the potential for rapid transition of the aviation industry after Covid-19?

Presentation by Dr Lucy Gilliam, Transport and Environment, at SGR conference, Transition Now

7 November 2020

Trident submarine

The hidden military implications of ‘building back’ with civil nuclear

Dr Phil Johnstone, Sussex University, presents the evidence that the UK's nuclear power programme has strong military links. Presentation at the SGR conference, Transition Now

7 November 2020

Industry

Industrial conversion during the Covid-19 crisis

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, looks at how arms, car and plane companies retooled to produce medical ventilators. Presentation at the SGR conference, Transition Now.

7 November 2020

Grantham Institute report cover

Lessons from finance and place-based dialogue on rapid, just transition

Prof Nick Robins, London School of Economics, examines how the banking sector can support a rapid, just, net-zero emission economic conversion across the UK.

7 November 2020

Land Rover Defender

Overconsumption, the climate emergency and the scientific community

Prof Julia Steinberger, University of Lausanne, argues that tackling the climate crisis requires drastic changes to contemporary human society, but that decent material living for all the world's population can still be achieved.

4 November 2020