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You are here: Science South West > News centre > 2010 > January > Making Science Work

Making Science Work in a low carbon economy

The debate on climate change is moving from a phase of scientific analysis to policy and business action. So what will the future low carbon society look like?  And what challenges and opportunities will it bring?

The South West Science and Industry Council’s 5th annual Making Science Work event, which took place on 3 December at the Met Office in Exeter, was a step towards answering these questions and building strategies for South West success in this emerging landscape.

Speaking at the event, Professor Andrew Sentance, a member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee and Dr Chris Preist, former Head of Sustainable IT Research at HP Labs, called on companies to switch materials and production processes to greener, more energy-efficient alternatives, as well as stressing the need for entirely new high-tech solutions to be developed.

Robin Gallimore, Chair of the South West Science and Industry Council, said:
"Controversial as it might sound, switching to become a low carbon economy isn't just about saving the planet. In just a few years time legislation will mean people and businesses are forced to change their gas-guzzling, carbon-crunching ways. And that is where real economic opportunities lie."

The conference is part of the Council's work to ensure the South West leads the way into a new low carbon age.

You can view the slides from the presentations given at Making Science Work in our Presentations section.

Videos of the presentations can be viewed on the Science South West YouTube Channel.

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