James Gray’s Post

Climate change poses an existential threat, yet synthetic biology offers hope. As outlined by Tom Baruch in his groundbreaking paper, The Synthetic Biology Climate Change Opportunity, it starts with thinking big but starting small, solving real problems, and relentlessly iterating. With investments pouring into synthetic biology, the potential to disrupt industries and combat climate change is tangible. However, building billion-dollar businesses in this space requires foresight and resilience. Learn what it takes to achieve synbio success. Join the panel hosted by Tom Baruch at SynBioBeta on May 7, 2024, “Can Synthetic Biology Heal Exponential Climate Change?” with industry leaders, Josh Silverman of Windfall, Charlie Dimmler of Checkerspot and August Fern of Baruch Future Ventures. Read Tom’s paper on Medium: https://t.ly/SLSa1

New from our ENVS faculty ➡️ Professor Sikina Jinnah helps to weigh costs and benefits of controversial research on a high-risk technology to fight climate change Over nearly three years, Jinnah co-chaired Harvard University's SCoPEX Advisory Committee, crafting a new governance framework for outdoor solar geoengineering experiments. Though the SCoPEX experiment was recently canceled, the committee's legacy lives on in its pioneering governance model. Solar geoengineering, a high-risk technology aiming to combat climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth, has sparked intense debate. Jinnah's expertise in global environmental governance and societal engagement was instrumental in advising Harvard on the experiment's potential risks and benefits. In their final report, the committee emphasized the importance of robust societal engagement, outlining guidelines for meaningful community involvement throughout the research process. Jinnah stresses the moral imperative to explore solar geoengineering responsibly, considering its potential to alleviate climate impacts on the most vulnerable communities. Looking ahead, Jinnah hopes the committee's work will guide future researchers in conducting equitable and effective societal engagement. As interest in solar geoengineering persists, Jinnah remains committed to advancing climate governance and fostering global progress in the fight against climate change. 🔗https://lnkd.in/e9u4jdZr

🔗 Invitation to Expert Workshop: Electricity market design of the future – how can #CfDs address the promotion needs of #RES? 🔗 I am thrilled to invite you to a workshop on the role and design of Contracts for Difference (#CfDs) in the future electricity market, where I will be sharing insights as a featured speaker. Agenda Highlights: 1. Regulatory framework of CfDs (Johanna Kamm - @Stiftung Umweltenergierecht) 2. Advantages and disadvantages of various CfD design options (Dr. Vasilios Anatolitis - @Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI) 3. COM-Perspective on EMD reform and role of CfDs (Jose Enrique Elías Cabrera - @European Commission) 4. Recommendations from Study for ITRE (Conall Heussaff - Bruegel) 5. Experiences with CfDs in Hungary (László Szabó - @REKK Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research) 6. Experiences with CfDs in Spain (Pablo del Río - CSIC) 📅 Date and Time: Tuesday, 05 December 2023, 09:00-10:30 CET 📍 Location: Brussels/online This workshop provides a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of #CfDs and their pivotal role in shaping the future of the electricity market. How to Register: https://lnkd.in/e8kdzyiU The workshop takes place in the context of a three-day program (5-7 December) of independent, but thematically linked events and is part of the Kopernikus-Projekt Ariadne. #CfDs #ElectricityMarketDesign #RenewableEnergy #Brussels

Exciting News! Join us for a deep dive into the latest developments in EU climate and energy policy! Together with Fabian Pause, Ronja Bush (Stiftung Umweltenergierecht), and Nils Bruch (TU Darmstadt), we are set to unravel the future of the Governance Regulation. Don't miss this opportunity to gain fresh insights! #EUClimatePolicy #EnergyTransition #GovernanceRegulation #SustainabilityDialogue

#GreenGrowth, #degrowth or something else? This is an interesting article on a survey of more than 800 climate policy researchers from around the world and their views on #growth. It seems that the widespread public policy mantra of #greengrowth hasn't got many academic supporters. Interesting to see the breakdown of different academic disciplines. It seems that the more you are trained in social science subjects, the less you believe in the green growth mantra. The worldwide dimension is also noteworthy. If you are placed in a more developed / highly-industrialised country, the less you believe in the green growth approach. Interesting dynamics. https://lnkd.in/erCG5QTg

Are you a climate scientist/researcher? Are you interested in creating space to connect with others around what you FEEL about the climate crisis, not just what you KNOW? To work with artists to help do this & see where it might lead?! If YES, please join us for the September and October online Cli Labs! We promise this will not be zoom as you know it – this will be a unique online space to connect with other climate researchers and artists to witness emotions, create art, and imagine the future. The focus will be your work, your stories, your responses – especially how you ‘see,’ and what you ‘feel’ about the work you are undertaking and the climate research you are involved in. Research highlights the value of emotion, human connection, community and belonging in facilitating climate action. This is what the Climate Labs aim to foster (because such spaces are often lacking in universities and scientific communities especially!). More information and details of how to sign up here (and please feel free to share in your networks!) https://lnkd.in/eusZbzXv #climateaction #climatecrisis #highereducation #transformativeexperience

Progress on the #2030Agenda is needed. It is #TimeToLead ⭐️ We have gathered what scientists recommend for accelerating progress on the #GlobalGoals. 1/10 Our collective knowledge 💡Read more on the recommendations: https://buff.ly/44AE4Qs Linköpings universitet, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research (CSPR), Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA), SEI — Stockholm Environment Institute, Formas, ett forskningsråd för hållbar utveckling

Here's what research tells us is needed to accelerate progress at the #SDGSummit 🌍 Progress so far is bleak, and it is #TimeToLead 💡Insight 5/10: Gather the evidence to act. Make it easier to lead with science. Track, expect and recognize progress.  ➡️Find out more https://buff.ly/3PohZ35 Linköpings universitet, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research (CSPR), SEI — Stockholm Environment Institute, International Science Council

Also science and scientists are active players in a societal change. It's always good if scientists remain curious to know how a society comes to change. And how that depends on what scientists say, how they say it, to whom, why. And even better to check how their communication and research is perceived and picked up, as Erik van Sebille demonstrates in this interview.

The book 'Climate Obstruction across Europe' has been published and is freely available on the website of the Climate Social Science Network: https://lnkd.in/gaM_UANa The chapter on the Netherlands was written by Martijn Duineveld, Guus Dix, Gertjan Plets and Vatan Hüzeir. Read the summary of climate obstruction in the Netherlands below or on the CSSN website. Our research into fossil ties of Dutch universities with the Mapping Fossil Ties Coalition is referenced in the book: "And as some of the most important science funding bodies in the Netherlands, Shell and other corporations are able to maintain close ties with universities, research institutes, and the Dutch Research Council (NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek)). [97] From the 1990s onward, these ties were further institutionalized by creating positions for industry on the management boards of Dutch universities and allowing sponsored professorships. [98]" [97] See Hüzeir and Fraser (2017), A Pipeline of Ideas [98] Different sources (see book), including www.mappingfossilties.org