Review of lecture on 30th Jan

We are proud to have three honorable guests (Professor Andrew Palmer, Assistant Professor Benjamin. K sovacool and Professor Rajasekhar Bala) to give a talk about climate change at LT 7 on the 30th Jan 2008. All of them provided us their specialize view regarding climate change, some statistics and their suggested solutions to climate change.

Firstly, we have Professor Andrew Palmer to talk to us about major climate change over the years and some carbon dioxide emission statistics. He also mention about the ways and technology to store the carbon dioxide. In addition, he briefly talks about the political issues and suggested what government should do. Of all, I feel that the most interesting part is how we are able to utilize used oil field and the ocean to store our carbon dioxide. This is because I think that although governments and organizations around the world are trying to reduce carbon dioxide emission, but limited can be achieved in a short time. This storage idea will be a temporary and efficient way to contain the carbon dioxide. However, we should not be relying on the storage idea, we should be trying to come out with new ways and technology to reduce our carbon dioxide emission significantly.

Next, we have Assistant Professor Benjamin.K sovacool who came from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy telling us about using Science and technology studies (STS) to address energy (and technological) problems. He gave us a quick introduction of what STS is and also gave us two case studies which are renewable power and electric vehicles. What I find interesting about his talk is that how public policy can be so intertwine with new technology, this makes me realize how powerful is the social factor.

Lastly, we have Professor Rajasekhar Bala talks to us about more of what we as individuals can do to save the earth. He firstly showed us some statistics about the temperature of the earth and also he think of some consequences such as the sea level rising causing flooding and more hurricanes and typhoons that might occur due to global warming. In addition, he told us what we as individuals or small groups can do to help save the earth. I find this to be the most interesting as most speaker would talk about solutions to global warming with regards to the government and large organization but often forgotten about the individuals who actually is the building block of the problem.

From this lecture, I feel that I learnt more about global warming and we should do our part in saving the earth. If each individuals just contribute or sacrifice a bit for our mother earth, it would be a better place to live in.