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.

UK military environmental impacts report cover

UK military carbon footprint equivalent to over six million cars

The carbon footprint of British military spending is 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a new SGR report has estimated - much higher than the Ministry of Defence admits.

Media release, 19 May 2020
 

A face mask over a public crowd

Do we need an Office for Science Responsibility?

Andrew Simms and Dr Philip Webber, SGR, argue that the failure to follow principles of responsible science during the Covid-19 crisis compromises policy-making and threatens to undermine public trust.

6 May 2020

World face mask

Covid-19: time for a paradigm shift?

Dr Phil Webber, SGR, looks at some emerging implications from the Covid-19 crisis for policies related to health, social justice, science, economics, environment protection and security.

28 April 2020

 

Virus (PIRO4D)

Learning from the Covid-19 crisis

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are profoundly affecting our world. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, takes an initial look at some of the lessons we should be learning.

25 March 2020

Typhoons (MOD)

Holding the UK to account for its role in the war in Yemen

Prof Anna Stavrianakis, University of Sussex, explains how UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia have helped fuel the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and examines efforts to stop these exports.  

6 February 2020

Matrix

Threats from emerging weapons technologies

As NATO marks its 70th anniversary, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, highlights the serious risks from the race for new weapons technologies.

3 December 2019

Plane (Holger Detjea via Pixabay)

Environmental behaviour change

Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh, Cardiff University, argues that to encourage the radical behaviour change needed to tackle the climate crisis, we need a range of well-timed interventions. She also notes that climate scientists need to 'walk the talk' too.

29 November 2019

"Champagne glass carbon graph"

Hope from despair: transforming delusion into action on climate change

Prof Kevin Anderson, Manchester University, argues that to meet the Paris climate targets we need to put equity at the heart of plans to rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

26 November 2019

"Flooding"

Global heating and climate catastrophe

Prof Bill McGuire, University College London, argues that mainstream climate science reports downplay the scale of the threats, especially from sea-level rise, extreme heat, shutdown of the Gulf Stream, and increased seismic activity.

19 November 2019

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New poll reveals a climate ‘awareness – action gap’ – but big behaviour changes under way

A new poll of scientists reveals a gap between awareness of international climate goals and lifestyles, writes Andrew Simms, SGR, but there are signs of radical shifts.

16 November 2019