Can technology save the planet?
Posted on 16 February 2012
The University of York’s Stockholm Environment Institute will host its second annual public seminar that will ask: “Can technology save the planet?”
The seminar will be a stimulating discussion on the pros and cons of using different technologies in tackling current and future environmental challenges.
Dr Gary Haq
Speakers include environmentalist and award winning author, Mark Lynas, and Dr Doug Parr, Chief Scientist and Policy Director of the environmental campaign group Greenpeace.
Mark Lynas caused controversy in the environmental movement with his recent book The God Species: How the Planet Can Survive the Age of Humans in which he set out a radical manifesto calling for the increased use of genetic engineering and nuclear power.
Dr Parr is a key campaigner on the relationship between technology and policy. He has campaigned on a range of issues including climate change, energy, transport, biofuels, geoengineering and nuclear power.
Seminar coordinator Dr Gary Haq said: “There has been great opposition to the use of nuclear power and genetic engineering. However, as human pressure on the Earth’s ecosystem reaches a point where rapid global environmental change is possible, we may have no choice to revisit the role of technology. The seminar will be a stimulating discussion on the pros and cons of using different technologies in tackling current and future environmental challenges.”
The event sees the return of a broadcast journalist and producer, Liz Barclay, who chaired last year’s seminar. Ms Barclay presented BBC Radio 4’s daily consumer strand You and Yours for more than 10 years.
The public seminar will take place on Thursday, 23 February 2012 at the National Science Learning Centre at the University of York from 5.30 – 7.30 pm.
The event is free and can be booked online by visiting www.seiy2012.eventbrite.co.uk or calling 01904 322897.
Notes to editors:
- The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is a global science policy research institute headquartered in Stockholm and with its UK office based in the Environment Department at the University of York. Its mission is to bridge the gap between science and policy to achieve change for a sustainable future. Visit www.sei-international.org/
- More about the University of York’s Environment Department can be found at www.york.ac.uk/environment/
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