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.

Scorched desert image

A climate of insecurity

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, critically examines the UK’s latest policies on climate change and security in the context of the Paris climate negotiations – and argues for a major change in direction.

ResponsibleSci blog, 27 November 2015

Trident submarine

135 reasons not to replace Trident

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, reports on important UN discussions, ignored by the UK media, which are critical for the upcoming decision on the replacement of Britain’s Trident nuclear weapon system.

ResponsibleSci blog, 20 November 2015

Catching CO2

The 20% solution: look up, wise up, cheer up

Dr Laurence Matthews, Cap and Share UK, outlines concepts and strategies for keeping 80% of fossil fuels in the ground.

Presentation at SGR conference 2015; online publication: 12 November 2015

Solar panels

Progress towards all-renewable electricity supplies

Prof Keith Barnham, Imperial College London, presents new analysis comparing the progress towards 100% renewable electricity supply in the UK with that in Germany. He argues that this goal could be reached in the UK before the planned completion of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station - if government policies are changed.

Presentation at SGR conference; online publication: 4 November 2015

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Nuclear weapons and climate catastrophe

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the latest scientific research showing how nuclear weapons could cause catastrophic global cooling - also known as 'nuclear winter' or 'nuclear famine'.

Presentation at SGR conference; online publication: 4 November 2015

Refuelling fighters

Demilitarization for Deep Decarbonization

Tamara Lorincz, International Peace Bureau, discusses the twin problems of carbon pollution due to military activities and the priority given by governments to funding their militaries over tackling climate change.

Presentation at SGR conference; online publication: 4 November 2015

Wind turbines and solar panels into nuclear weapons: the UK's new industrial strategy?

UK government financial support is being cut from green industries, while there is no similar austerity for the military industrial sector. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines what is happening.

Article in The Ecologist, 15 October 2015
 

 

Rudd’s 'magic money tree' risks undermining investments in a low carbon economy

Dr Bridget Woodman, Exeter University, assesses the very disturbing developments in UK energy policy over the past few months.

ResponsibleSci blog, 13 October 2015

 

SGR challenges government over military R&D and nuclear weapons

Scientists for Global Responsibility has submitted a response to the UK government consultation on the National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence and Security Review. In it, we argue that the UK needs to place a much greater focus on the use of scientific and technical resources for tackling the roots of conflict rather than prioritising the development of yet more weapons technologies. We especially criticise plans for a new UK nuclear weapons system.

24 September 2015

 

Intervening in the 'rise' of the lethal autonomous weapon

Researchers in AI and robotics have called for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons, loosely termed 'killer robots'. Prof Lucy Suchman, Lancaster University, explains why she added her name to the call.

17 September 2015