Nanotechnology and the Environment

Enemies or Allies?

http://peterwicks.wordpress.com/ Peter Wicks

Greenpeace welcomes European Court of Justice ruling on stem cells patents

Press release - October 18, 2011Luxembourg- Greenpeace welcomes today’s European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision that cells derived from human embryos cannot be patented, as patents on such cells would encourage the commercialization of human embryos.

Nanotechnology: what EDF says• Nanotechnology… has great potential to

deliver environmental and other benefits, but it may also pose significant risks to human health and the environment.

• Government and industry should work to identify and manage possible health risks before new products are widely used.

Environment Movement Timeline

• 19th Century: reaction to Industrial Revolution• Cold War: Bikini Atol, Silent Spring, Torrey

Canyon• Club of Rome: engagement of politicians and

scientists• New perils: ozone depletion, acid rain, climate

change…• Technological monsters: GMOs as frankenfood

Contradictions

• Nature for its own sake, or a healthy environment for humans?

• Homo sapiens: pinnacle of creation or cancer on the face of the planet?

• Nuclear power: solution to global warming, or avatar of Armageddon?

• Wind farms: clean energy or vandalism?• Technology: friend or foe?

Signs of hope

With the support of the WWF, the Galápagos National Park and the Galápagos Government Council, the MS TÛRANOR Planet Solar, a boat that runs entirely on solar energy, recently visited the Galápagos Islands.

The goal of the visit was to promote solar power, efficient energy and ecological mobility by providing information and increasing awareness of the importance of renewable energy.

WWF SUPPORTS USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

http://gizmodo.com/5908112/this-huge-ship-just-sailed-around-the-world-powered-by-nothing-but-sunshine

Concluding thoughts

• Concern for environment must respect human aspirations

• Negative aspects of technology must be recognised

• Fear of change is real and legitimate• Human beings are not rational• There are genuine risks• Technology HAS to be the answer