Leading Edge - 21/05/2009

Geoff Watts with the latest stories from the world of science. He is joined by the government's Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor John Beddington, whose background is in population biology, specialising in fish populations and the effects of fisheries on them. That knowledge has helped Professor Beddington in understanding the economics and sustainable management of renewable resources more generally, equipping him to advise on many of the big scientific issues of our time, from fisheries and food to energy and climate change. Professor Beddington is concerned that rising demand for food, water and energy will coincide with depleted resources and global change to produce the conditions for what he calls a 'perfect storm' - a global crisis that could strike by the year 2030. We need to use science and technology to put measures in place now, he says, if we are going to avoid global shortages of food, water and energy in 20 years time. If we do nothing, shortages and price rises will coincide with droughts, storms and rising sea level, leading to famines, migration and instability. Last year, Cambridge physics professor David MacKay paid to publish the book he had written on sustainable energy. But bit by bit, the momentum grew. First it was spotted by the writers of blogs, then by the regular media. In the book, MacKay concentrates on the facts and figures, showing the impact of different energy strategies and the futility of some at addressing climate change. Writer and broadcaster Gabrielle Walker reviews the book and then discusses it with David MacKay and John Beddington.