Responsible Science

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.

Limits to techno-fix

Long established critic of overconsumption and advocate of simpler living, Australian academic Ted Trainer, speaks to SGR’s Andrew Simms about limits to technological responses to the climate and ecological emergency.

13 May 2024

Hydrogen gives the blues

Prof Kevin Anderson, University of Manchester, and researcher Simon Oldridge argue that the UK government’s hydrogen energy plan isn’t green at all: it’s an oil industry swindle designed to continue pollution-as-usual.

24 April 2024

Nuclear power in Ukraine: what would happen if Zaporizhzhia was hit?

The Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine houses the largest nuclear power station in Europe. It is currently in an intensely fought war zone. Dr Philip Webber, SGR, explains some of the risks of radiation releases that this poses, both nationally and internationally.

17 April 2024 (updated)

Child with gun - Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

Pro-war propaganda: are we doing it by accident?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, looks at the ways in which our use of military-friendly language and our acceptance of military funding and branding - including in science and technology - can increase society's acceptance of war.

12 April 2024

Why is behaviour change a better bet than techno-optimism?

Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh, Bath University, argues that when it comes to tackling climate breakdown, changing the behaviour of the world’s high consumers guarantees better results than just trusting to technology.

21 March 2024

A bombed street in Gaza - image by the Israeli military on X

Gaza: one of the most intense bombardments in history?

Dr Philip Webber and Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, assess the scale of the Israeli military assault in comparison with other wars, and consider the possibilities for peace.

13 March 2024 (updated)

War, climate breakdown, and economic injustice: tackling the triple crisis

Prof Paul Rogers, University of Bradford, examines the interlinkages between the world’s major crises, and outlines some ways forward.

21 February 2024

After Paris’s coup against SUVs, the UK should slam the brakes on these polluting monsters too

Andrew Simms, SGR, argues that the vote by Parisians to triple parking charges for SUVs should be the start of a much wider crackdown.

14 February 2024

Nuclear power and net zero: Too little, too late, too expensive

Prof Steve Thomas, Greenwich University, assesses the considerable obstacles to the UK government’s target for new nuclear power.

9 February 2024 (updated)

The point of no return: how close is the world to irreversible climate change?

Prof Bill McGuire, University College London, summarises the disturbing evidence on tipping points in the climate system.

7 December 2023

Issues