Thu 25 Jun 2009
Yesterday did not look like the best day to be stuck inside – the weather was gorgeous in London and if you’ve lived in the UK for a few years you know you must make the best of it! – but Parliamentary Links Day seemed worthy. The setting was great (Portcullis House, right opposite Big Ben), the list of speakers impressive and the topic – Science and global security – very timely. So was I disappointed? I don’t think so…
The room was filled (to bursting) with Lords, MPs, Doctors and Professors – and one or two mere mortals too – who were there to celebrate the largest scientific event of its kind on the parliamentary calendar. Brief introductions from Dr Brian Iddon, Member of the Commons Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills, and Professor Dave Garner, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, got the ball rolling followed by the keynote address from Hilary Benn MP. He touched on many topics, from climate change to water shortage or the need to reconcile environmental impact with economic development, but it is perhaps his opening remark that best summarises the challenge that as a society we face: a global crisis of sustainability.
