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.

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
 

Why engineers should lead calls to rebalance defence R&D priorities

New analysis has revealed how much the funding of research into military technology outweighs spending to tackle the roots of conflict, says Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR

Article in Engineering and Technology Magazine, 11 November 2013
 

Military R&D: Is it helping or hindering our security?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that contrary to popular belief there are numerous reasons why military research and development is not helping to improve security, and makes the case for alternatives.

Presentation at York University, 23 October 2013
 

Humanitarian problems from the use of a nuclear weapon on a UK city

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, outlines the devastating impacts of a nuclear weapon attack on a UK city, using the case study of Manchester. He also summarises climatic and other effects should nuclear war ever happen.

Presentation at Manchester Town Hall, 4 October 2013
 

Conflict and climate change - film

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, appears in a new film produced by the Movement for the Abolition of War.

2 October 2013

 

Open letter on pro-GM bias at academic journal

An open letter to the publishers and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology, regarding the potential pro-GM bias introduced by the appointment of a new Associate Editor, Richard Goodman.

1 October 2013
 

UK military R&D is aggressive and counter-productive

Why is the UK government focusing R&D spending on offensive weapons in preference to tackling the roots of conflict?

Article by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, on The Guardian's Political Science blog, 30 September 2013