[SGRupdate] SGR Newsletter No 35

[Scientists for Global Responsibility]

** Scientists for Global Responsibility Newsletter **

No 35 - Winter 2008 - now available

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Feature articles

* Military R&D 85 times larger than renewable energy R&D
Stuart Parkinson and Chris Langley outline SGR's latest research whose
revelations include statistics from across the industrialised world
showing the massive imbalance between government R&D spending for military
purposes and that for social and environmental purposes.

* Could one Trident submarine cause "nuclear winter"?
Philip Webber analyses the latest research on the potential climatic
impacts of nuclear war and demonstrates that the firepower of just one of
the UK's Trident submarines could be devastating for the whole planet.

* The employment benefits of not replacing Trident
Steven Schofield argues that investing the billions earmarked for Trident
replacement in alternative sectors would more than offset the job losses in
the nuclear weapons sector.

* Peak oil: why it will not help the climate change problem
Mandy Meikle argues that the problems of peak oil and climate change must
be tackled together.

* The CO2 and H2O costs of bathing
Alan Cottey compares the main environmental impacts of a bath, a shower and
a stand-up wash.

* Undermining democracy in the planning process
David Grove examines the government's recent white paper on planning and
finds much cause for concern.

* Measures of success: two steps closer to ending the arms trade
Beccie D'Cunha describes two recent, important victories.

* US "missile defence" in Europe: who needs it?
David Webb suggests current US plans for missile defence may cause more
problems than they solve.

* The grim reality of robots at war
Noel Sharkey gives a stark warning about the potential for a robot arms race.

* Can large-scale biofuels be sustainable?
Almuth Ernsting assesses the current social and environmental impacts of
large-scale biofuel production and questions whether "sustainability
standards" will be enough to prevent serious problems.

* The universal ethical code for scientists - how good is it?
Stuart Parkinson examines the new ethical code for scientists and engineers
and asks: just how good is an ethical code that doesn't prohibit work on
weapons of mass destruction?

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News from SGR includes...

* "A few words..." column on the links between peace and environmental issues

* recent research activities on miltary involvement in science and
technology, nuclear weapons

* recent education and campaigning activities on issues including ethical
careers, climate change, renewable energy and nuclear power

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Copies are free to members and associate members of SGR - to join see
http://www.sgr.org.uk/joinsgr.html

Alternatively, non-members can obtain copies by mail order for GBP 3.50
plus postage and packing @ 20% from the address below.

Back issues, and a sample article from the current issue (Could one Trident
submarine cause "nuclear winter"?), can be downloaded free of charge from
http://www.sgr.org.uk/newsletter.html


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Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) is an independent UK-based
organisation of scientists, architects, engineers, and technologists
promoting ethical science, design and technology.

Scientists for Global Responsibility
Ingles Manor
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone
CT20 2RD
UK

Tel: 01303 851965
Mobile: 07771 883696
E-mail: info at sgr.org.uk
Web: http://www.sgr.org.uk

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