A group of scientists, including 30 Nobel laureates, has called on the leaders attending the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Sandton to take immediate action to solve the ecological and social crises facing the world.
Announcing the "Johannesburg appeal" during the International Forum on Globalisation "teach-in" at Wits University at the weekend, physicist Vandana Shiva said: "Time is running out to respond to the world`s ecological and social crises."
He urged decision-makers to reduce reliance on energy from fossil fuels and promote "research and development which lead to renewable and safe forms of energy".
The appeal was made by the World Institute of Science, an organisation founded in 1991 to "draw up recommendations on major vital planetary issues including climate, power and biotechnology". The institute argues that scientists share the responsibility of the planet`s ecological and social crises due to their role in the technological advances that have caused many of these problems.
The Johannesburg appeal, which is available at www.johannesburg-appeal.org, says: "Technological applications of scientific knowledge are in large part responsible for the changes which have taken place during the last 300 years ... and science is deeply involved as a cause, and should accept a share of the responsibility for these unprecedented changes. It is clear the changes have both good and dangerous potentialities for the human species. It is now essential to preserve the good consequences and to avoid the dangerous ones."
Among the recommendations are that scientists should direct technological developments towards overall improvement of the quality of human life and not accept the destruction or exploitation of individuals or human groups.
Share
