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.

Alternatives to the Cumbrian coal mine

In light of plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, discusses alternatives to the coal industry, especially options for decarbonisation of the steel sector and local green jobs.

26 October 2023

Is your lifestyle helping or hindering system change?

Dr Stuart Parkinson and Dr Emily Heath, SGR, outline the role of behaviour change in tackling climate change – including SGR’s 10 'Fair Lifestyle Targets' for 1.5°C-compatible living.

25 October 2023

UK military carbon emissions: assessing the latest data

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines the latest data on the carbon emissions of the UK military - and reveals new insights on military claims that they are 'greening' their activities.

29 September 2023

Elsevier is still enabling high-carbon emitters

Academic publisher’s response to SGR/UCS petition on climate pledges falls short.

19 September 2023

Lessons from lockdown: how a ‘discontinuity event’ opens possibilities

Andrew Simms, SGR, assesses the research so far on behavioural change during the COVID-19 pandemic, and considers the implications for tackling the climate and nature emergencies.

12 September 2023

Jetting off to the sun? The adverts are selling you a ticket to climate disaster

Airlines have missed 98% of their previous environmental targets yet they keep urging more people to fly. Andrew Simms, SGR, discusses the industry's contradictions and how these can can be tackled.

16 August 2023

The military influence on UK science and technology

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, outlines how military involvement in UK science and technology is increasing rapidly, and argues that more needs to be done to challenge this.

1 August 2023

Rethinking economics: It’s not business as usual

Andrew Simms, SGR, contributes to a discussion on restructuring the economic system to operate within planetary boundaries and support social justice, at the Manchester International Festival.

23 July 2023

How big are global military carbon emissions?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the latest research on what is – and isn’t – known about the size of global military carbon emissions.

8 July 2023

Offsets get the red card

The idea that people can continue polluting if they just pay into carbon offsetting schemes always seemed too good to be true. SGR’s Andrew Simms and New Weather Institute’s Freddie Daley spell out six reasons why it is.

27 June 2023 (updated)

Issues