The future of energy. Leadership and technological innovation. August 15, 2009

The future of energy. Leadership and technological innovation.

2pm-4pm, Saturday 15th August.

With James Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting & Innovation, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.

Description:

When Western elites say, as a response to concerns about climate change, that individual consumers must change their lifestyles and use less energy, they are really abdicating their own responsibility to develop a new, cheap, clean and reliable energy supply. They are scared of investing in nuclear power, scared of moving ahead in carbon capture and storage, and scared of developing new, efficient biofuels – whether on the land or in the laboratory. Public guilt
about climate change is a waste of energy. Progress may have got us into this mess but it is also what is going to get us out of it.

This talk builds on elements of the speaker's recent book "Energise! A future for energy innovation" (co-authored with Joe Kaplinsky). This book has been described "A cogent, widely researched analysis of the future of energy which will enable readers finally to distinguish fact from fiction" and "A hugely useful reframing of the debate". The talk will be of interest to everyone concerned with the future of technology, and the role of innovation and culture
to support a richly energetic society.

About the speaker

Physics graduate; contributor to Computing and the New Civil Engineer; visiting Professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. Article on chemical weapons for The Economist, 1978; co-author, Robots, 1984; The future of cities, report for Glasgow Development Agency, 1988; multi-client study on e-commerce, 1988; proposed Internet TV, 1993. Manager, worldwide market intelligence, Philips Consumer Electronics, 1995-7; Cult IT, ICA, 1999; `Play as the main event in international and UK culture', Cultural Trends, 2003; Why is construction so backward? (John Wiley, 2004); Energise! A future for energy innovation (Beautiful Books, 2009). His website, Woudhuysen.com, carries the title "Thinking about the future".

There is no charge to attend and everyone is welcome. Join the debate!

Discussion is likely to continue after the event, in a nearby pub, for those who are able to stay.

Why not join some of the UKTA regulars for a drink and/or light lunch beforehand, any time after 12.30pm, in The Marlborough Arms, 36 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ. To find us, look out for a table where there's a copy of the book "Energise" displayed.

Venue:

Room 538, on the fifth floor (via the lift near reception) in the main Birkbeck College building, in Torrington Square (which is a pedestrian-only square). Torrington Square is about 10 minutes walk from either Russell Square or Goodge St tube stations.

Official Website: http://www.extrobritannia.blogspot.com