Responsible Science

We currently focus on four main issues: disarmament and security, climate change and energy, questions of who controls science and technology and issues surrounding new and emerging technologies. You will also see that we work on some other issues too. You can explore these with the menu on the left of this page and with the search function. Material in this section includes all SGR's main outputs since 2005, with a selection of the more important material from before then.

The point of no return: how close is the world to irreversible climate change?

Prof Bill McGuire, University College London, summarises the disturbing evidence on tipping points in the climate system.

7 December 2023

Electric car image by Mike's Photography via Pixabay

Vehicle emissions: electric cars are not enough

Alasdair Beal argues for broader and stronger action in the transport sector to tackle climate change and air pollution.

22 November 2023

Climate, war and nuclear weapons

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the ways in which militaries and nuclear weapons can contribute to catastrophic climate change.

17 November 2023

Nuclear weapons: mythbusting

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, debunks many of the myths used to justify the continued development and deployment of nuclear weapons, both in the UK and globally.

9 November 2023

Alternatives to the Cumbrian coal mine

In light of plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, discusses alternatives to the coal industry, especially options for decarbonisation of the steel sector and local green jobs.

26 October 2023

Is your lifestyle helping or hindering system change?

Dr Stuart Parkinson and Dr Emily Heath, SGR, outline the role of behaviour change in tackling climate change – including SGR’s 10 'Fair Lifestyle Targets' for 1.5°C-compatible living.

25 October 2023

UK military carbon emissions: assessing the latest data

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines the latest data on the carbon emissions of the UK military - and reveals new insights on military claims that they are 'greening' their activities.

29 September 2023

Elsevier is still enabling high-carbon emitters

Academic publisher’s response to SGR/UCS petition on climate pledges falls short.

19 September 2023

Lessons from lockdown: how a ‘discontinuity event’ opens possibilities

Andrew Simms, SGR, assesses the research so far on behavioural change during the COVID-19 pandemic, and considers the implications for tackling the climate and nature emergencies.

12 September 2023

Jetting off to the sun? The adverts are selling you a ticket to climate disaster

Airlines have missed 98% of their previous environmental targets yet they keep urging more people to fly. Andrew Simms, SGR, discusses the industry's contradictions and how these can can be tackled.

16 August 2023

Issues