The beginning of the 21st century presents the interwoven challenges of climate change, rapid population growth and increasing freshwater, food and energy pressures. These challenges will be discussed as will the manner in which humanity has sought to meet them so far and is likely to do so in the future. The interconnection between climate change and energy use is producing innovative alternative energy ideas which are rapidly gaining ground. This promises to impinge favourably on freshwater and food supply and to ameliorate climate change. There is reason to be cautiously optimistic.
About the Speaker
Professor Stephen Lincoln is a professor in the School of Chemistry and Physics and in the Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability. His major research areas are molecular science, about which he has published over 300 research papers, and understanding and retaining a sustainable planet as is evidenced by his prize-winning book “Challenged Earth” (2006).