Debate: The Energy Problem
Wednesday 1st Oct 2008
This event marked the start of a 6 month exercise
facilitated by the Cambridge Energy Forum to help Cambridge meet the
energy challenge.
Between today and 2050, our energy supplies and our use
of energy will change dramatically. Today's oil and gas supplies will
not persist, and we must avoid excessive CO2 pollution in the
atmosphere.
Cambridge has a rare combination of academic
excellence, entrepreneurship and technical development and has an
important role to play in defining and undertaking this change.
Initial speakers, who primed the debate, included:
- Prof. Ian Fells - chairman
- Candida Whitmill, lead author of a recent "devastating" energy futures report,
- Prof David Mackay (Cambridge)
- Fiona Harvey (Financial Times)
After the scene-setting, all participants contibuted questions or issues on a postcard.
In the second part of the evening, key issues were
selected, and the writer of that postcard will be asked to read out
their question or comment. There was an open discussion, chaired by
Prof. Fells.
The transcript of the meeting is now online on our wiki where you can add your own comments and issues.
The synthesis of the discussion over the 6 months will be published on Tuesday 3rd March 2009, available as a
reference to academics, policy-makers and entrepreneurs, to help bring about
the change that will provide us with decarbonised energy.
If you are interested in this event, please consider
becoming
a member of the Cambridge Energy Forum. This will
give you several additional benefits. There are
additional benefits for organisations
wishing to sponsor the Forum of its events.
