Science, Technology, and Public Policy

Professor John P. Holdren gave the keynote address at the NOAA Global Monitoring Annual Conference in Boulder, Colorado, on May 22, 2018.

Professor of Practice Matthew Bunn gave a presentation on Transforming U.S. Energy Innovation, a volume that he co-edited, at Carnegie Mellon University.

The Chinese government consistently regards energy conservation as one of the most effective means to address its energy-related problems, such as energy security and greenhouse-gas emission reduction. Its energy-saving effect has been substantial since the government has implemented a series of policies in recent years. However, there is still debate about whether or not the current energy conservation policies can support the achievement of China's long-term goal of sustainable development.

"A Technology-Based Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy for 2030" was presented by Melissa Chan and Laura Diaz Anadon of the Energy Research, Development, Demonstration & Deployment (ERD3) Policy Project at the U.S. Society of Ecological Economics 2009 Conference, Washington, D.C., June 1, 2009.

Historical patterns of growth across a range of energy technologies are used to explore "scaling". Scaling is used to describe a particular form of growth that is (i) both rapid and substantive, taking into account the overall size of the energy system, and (ii) occurs at multiple levels from the technical unit and/or plant to the industry as a whole (e.g., from a wind turbine or wind farm to total installed wind capacity or manufacturing output). Scaling dynamics are assessed in historical time series data on vehicles, jet aircraft, refineries, and power plants (nuclear, coal, gas, wind). In those cases for which S-shaped growth is clearly evidenced, logistic function parameters are used to compare scaling across different technologies.

The author analyses the implications of economic growth for removing poverty and inequity, in respect of the twin challenges of environmental sustainability and energy security in India.

John P. Holdren provides the context for and an overview of the recommendations made by the National Commission on Energy Policy its 2004 and 2007 reports to the President and Congress of the United States.

Holdren presents a detailed summary of the science behind global climate disruption, and offers a look at the technologies that can help mitigate future risk. He then surveys current thinking on the economics of climate disruption and proposes practical steps forward.

John P. Holdren presented the John H. Chafee Memorial Lecture on Science and the Environment on January 17, 2008, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Holdren's lecture was presented during the 8th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment: Climate Change: Science and Solutions, organized by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

The Chafee Memorial Lecture is presented in memory of the late Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island, who was a champion of bipartisan, scientific approaches for protecting the environment.

"Global warming is a misnomer," said John P. Holdren, speaking at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at the Kennedy School on November 6. "It implies something gradual, uniform, and benign. What we’re experiencing is none of these."

Holdren also urged the United States to spearhead this effort, going from being a "laggard in climate policy to being a leader." Once that happens, he said, the rest of the world will follow suit.