Issues: Climate change and energy

Campaigning for ethical engineering and science in the UK

A chapter, written by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, in a new book entitled Peace Engineering: When personal values and engineering careers converge

1 September 2013
 

Scientists for Global Responsibility – a UK campaign group, with about 1000 members – today moved into its new offices at Halton Mill, an eco-renovated former industrial building just outside Lancaster.

Press release, 31 August 2013
 

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, presents the evidence that the launch of the nuclear missiles of just one Trident submarine could cause devastating climatic cooling.

Article published in the Nuclear Monitor, 12 April 2013
 

This briefing presents evidence that the detonation of the nuclear warheads carried on just one UK Trident submarine would lead to vast quantities of smoke being generated that would led to a sharp climate cooling, causing a global crop failure which would threaten the lives of some 1 billion people. This would be in addition to the deaths of over 10 million people killed directly by blast, fire and fallout from the nuclear explosions.

SGR briefing by Dr Philip Webber; 26 February 2013.
 

Insulation has little 'wow' factor compared to solar panels, but greater potential to reduce carbon emissions cheaply. However, it is crucial that we consider the energy required for their manufacture: natural, non-toxic
materials consume the least energy and are safer for human health, argues Dr Tom Woolley, Rachel Bevan Architects.

2 January 2013

With details of the new UK Energy Bill starting to be released, and the latest round of UN climate change negotiations underway in Doha, Qatar, here is a summary of recent relevant analysis from SGR commentators.

27 November 2012
 

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that there is too much focus on technology within mainstream climate change strategies and that there needs to be a better balance between technology, economic and political solutions. This would lead to more effective climate policies and would contribute to quality of life improvements.

Presentation at Warwick Climate Forum, 24 November 2012.
 

Dr Tim Foxon, University of Leeds, summarises new academic research examining the major choices for the UK as the nation tries to de-carbonise its electricity system.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 41, autumn 2012 (published online: 14 November 2012)
 

Prof AbuBakr Bahaj, University of Southampton, outlines the recent positive progress in generating electricity from offshore wind, wave and tidal current resources in the UK. He also assesses the future challenges in a sector in which the UK is a global leader.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 41, autumn 2012 (published online: 14 November 2012)
 

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, looks at the factors that have led to the prominence of climate change sceptics over the past two decades and asks whether they are as influential as they seem.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 41, autumn 2012 (published online: 12 November 2012)