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.

Rethinking security: from projecting power to preventing problems

Dr Chris Langley, SGR, examines how two factors - the embrace of corporate partners by science and technology university departments and the erosion of distinctions between the military and the police - have contributed to disturbing security trends in the UK and elsewhere. The root causes of insecurity meanwhile go unaddressed.

Article published on openDemocracy website, 19 December 2013
 

Top books on science, technology and politics from the last 21 years

Dr Stuart Parkinson picks his choice of the best non-fiction books of recent years to mark SGR’s 21st anniversary.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.42, autumn 2013; published online: 19 December 2013
 

Scientists criticise arms industry sponsorship of Edinburgh science festival

Press release and open letter, 13 December 2013
 

Nobel Physicians Warn Two Billion at Risk from Nuclear Famine

Press release, 10 December 2013

(in association with the International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons)
 

Announcing Scientists for Global Responsibility Newsletter 42

Press release, 4 December 2013

 

Offensive Security: Why it’s a Problem

Most approaches to global security are based on the idea that insecurity can be controlled through military force. We should be tackling threats such as climate change, economic injustice and resource depletion instead, argues Dr Chris Langley, SGR.

Article for New Left Project website, 4 December 2013
 

From Offensive Insecurity to Sustainable Security: The Role of Science and Technology

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that current funding patterns of R&D in the UK support a militaristic approach to dealing with security problems. He makes the case for a shift in funding to R&D which helps to tackle the roots of conflict, including climate change.

Presentation at SGR conference, London, 16 November 2013, and in Kendal, Cumbria, 30 November 2013

 

SGR signs open letter on nuclear subsidies

Scientists for Global Responsibility has signed an open letter to Joaquin Almunia, EU Commissioner for Competition, arguing that the European Commission should not approve the UK government proposals for funding new nuclear power stations as they are an unjustified subsidy.

28 November 2013
 

Humanitarian problems from the use of nuclear weapons - and some solutions?

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, outlines the catastrophic humanitarian and climatic consequences should nuclear weapons ever be used, particularly focusing on the consequences if the UK fired its Trident nuclear missiles. He also discusses some hopeful signs for international nuclear disarmament.

Presentation at SGR conference, London, 16 November 2013
 

UK Energy Policy: Secure, Sustainable, Sane?

Dr Ian Fairlie argues that - from an environmental, social and economic perspective - the priority in UK energy policy should be on energy conservation and renewables, rather than on nuclear power.

Presentation at SGR conference, London, 16 November 2013