Abstract

Global energy consumption is increasing rapidly and with it the energy provided by burning fossil fuels. This is unsustainable and decarbonisation is imperative to reduce air pollution, rebalance relations between oil producing and importing countries, and to moderate climate change. Unfortunately, with today’s technology, it is probably impossible to acheive this at a price society will be willing to pay. Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith, ex-Director General of CERN , will review progress in decarbonisation, and later discuss the technical, economic and political challenges that will have to be met in order to meet future needs sustainably.

About the speaker: Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith FRS is President of the Council of Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), as well as Director of Energy Research at Oxford University. He is interested in all aspects of energy supply and demand, particularly in energy systems and their resilience, and the challenges it proposes. Professor Llewellyn Smith has chaired the Council of the world fusion energy project ITER , directed the UK’s fusion programme, and served as Provost and President of University College, Oxford. His scientific contributions and leadership have been recognised by awards and honours world-wide, including, most recently, the Royal Society’s Medal in 2015.

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