Can Space Save the Planet?

25 March 2009                                             9.30 am – 4.30 pm

Although we are in a global recession we should not lose sight of Paul Erlich’s I = PxAxT equation: Environmental Impact is the product of Population, Afluence and Technological Efficiency of Resource Use.

Some enthusiasts foresee ten-fold increases in energy and resource use efficiency (reduction of ‘T’ by a factor of ten), but ‘P’ and ‘A’ will swamp us eventually.

Can space activity transform the equation or make it redundant? Our speakers certainly think so. Informed by the visions of Gerard O’Neill and the current state of play, we will be presenting many facets of ‘Can Space Save the Planet?’.


PROGRAMME

09:30-09:45 Registration

09:45-10:15 Welcome and Introduction
 Rodney Buckland

10:15-10:45 Saving Earth by Going to Space: the vision of Gerard O’Neill
 Jerry Stone

10:45-11:15 COFFEE

11:15-11:45 In Pursuit of Folly
 Iain Hossack

11:45-12:15 The environmental harms and benefits of the New Space Age
 David Ashford

12:15-12:45 Space Tourism and Sustainability
 Steven Fawkes

12:45-14:15 LUNCH

14:15-14:45 Under the Blanket of the Skies: space is not ‘out there’
 J.F. Coppinger

14:45-15:15 Can Space Save the Planet?: a dangerous question
 Dr Michael Martin-Smith

15:15-15:45 Astro-Darwinism: Adapt, Leave or Die
 M.V. “Coyote” Smith, USAF

15:45-16:15 Q & A.

16.30 Close

Registration Fees include refreshments.

A Member discount £10 per ticket (not applicable to students) will be applied as part of the checkout process when you have supplied your membership details. Students need to supply a photocopy of their NUS card when registering.

To download a registration form please click here.