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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Ensuring sustainable use of natural resources
There are many environmental issues that are affecting economic and social development within Commonwealth countries; sea-level changes are threatening many island states; deforestation is displacing populations and reducing timber resources and biodiversity.
The aim is to help these countries to sustainably utilise their natural resources without jeopardising current and future development to alleviate poverty for the overall benefit of their citizens.
"Science, technology and cheap hydrocarbon-based energy have shaped the modern world. This potent combination is the driving force behind many of society's greatest achievements - from irrigating the Earth to landing on the Moon, from building up into the sky to drilling down to the Earth's core and from developing lifesaving drugs to understanding the human mind. Faced with the current challenge of a harsh economic climate, investment in science and technological innovation will help the world power out of the recession. Ironically a more a urgent issue, arguably humanity's greatest challenge, is decarbonising the worlds energy system to address the threat of climate change. Science and technology, combined with social change, can (indeed must) provide the solution."
Prof. Chris Rapley CBE, Director of the Science Museum, London
Further articles of interest
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Climate change is perhaps the greatest challenge of our age
Climate change is perhaps the greatest challenge of our age. Its effects are already being felt by the poorest nations and peoples of the Earth.
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‘A displaced people with no international legal protection’ – the future for Maldives?
President Mohamed Nasheed
For centuries the Maldives islands have had to contend with the mayhem that nature can inflict – from monsoon gales to the desolation of the 2004 Asian tsunami.
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Kenyan farmers association wades into food miles debate.
Hasit Shah – Kenyan farmer
Farmers in developing countries across the Commonwealth face an uncertain future as climate change takes its toll on their lives and livelihoods.
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Commonwealth expert trying to unravel the escalating costs of climate change to the hurricane prone Caribbean.
Dr Mark Bynoe – Environmental economist
Caribbean countries are only too familiar with the ravages of climate change. Hurricanes yearly batter shores as the pace of global warming seems to quicken with every season.
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Scientist on a quest to unlock the secrets of the rainforest.
Dr Isabella Bovolo - Hydrologist
Dr Isabella Bovolo’s explorations have taken her from the deepest, most remote parts of the Guyana rainforest to the coast of the Caribbean and beyond.
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Young people speak out at climate change summit
The Commonwealth Secretariat- 29 October 2009
The passion the young people attending the conference have about the future of the planet is telling.
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Bangladesh and UK scientists team-up to tackle climate change
29 January 2010
UKCDS is building links between UK and Bangladeshi climate change scientists interested in the land, food and water interface and exchange visits are underway.
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Science and Technology Face to Face with Societal Concerns
Dr Ross Sadler, School of Public Health, Griffith University, Australia
With this year's theme of Science, Technology and Society, there is a challenge to the Commonwealth Secretariat to deliver a suitable response. A key focus of any such initiative has to be on the issues of the environment and sustainable development, with particular reference to those that have a direct bearing upon public health. This paper will explore the issues and offer possible solutions.
