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Speaker: Moderated by Chris Parker, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Leisure Management at Nottingham Trent University

About this event

Each year we organise a particularly prestigious event with the title of “The Great Debate” which tackles a particular subject with a number of high powered speakers. This is done with the collaboration of fellow volunteers in the IET, IMechE, ICE, IChemE and BCS. In previous years we have tackled subjects as diverse as transport, energy and climate change. This year the subject of the debate is Space.

This event is the natural extension of the previous two Great Debates. The Great Environmental Briefing considered the environmental challenges that face mankind and the Great Climate Changing Debate proposed some solutions to those problems. The Great Space Debate considers the possibility that we will be unsuccessful at resolving the problems of climate change and will be forced to leave Earth.

The objectives of the Great Space Debate 2010 are:

1) To investigate the practicalities of journeying into outer space

2) To consider whether the cost benefit of space exploration is worthwhile

3) To argue the case for and against leaving planet Earth

4) To consider colonisation of other planets

5) To consider the implications for future generations

Speakers

Chaired and moderated by Chris Parker, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Leisure Management at Nottingham Trent University
Dr Chris Welch, Astronautics & Space System Lecturer, Kingston University
Dr Stuart Eves, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), Guildford
Derek Wall - Former principal speaker for the GreenParty
David Clements - Astrophysics Lecturer Imperial College

Last year’s event was recorded and can be viewed on IET.tv

Can We… Should We Geo-Engineer the Climate?: Frank Mugford, Chairman IMechE, Reading

Introduction: Professor Peter Liss CBE, FRS University of East Anglia

Studies in Geo-Engineering: Professor John Shepherd, FRS National Oceanography Centre University of Southampton

The Science Behind Geo-Engineering: Dr Alan Gadian Senior Research Lecturer National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences University of Leeds

Climate Reactions to Geo-Engineering: Dr Olivier Boucher Climate Scientist Hadley Centre The Met Office

Concerns About Geo-Engineering: Dr David Santillo Research Fellow in Bioscience Greenpeace Research Laboratories University of Exeter

A more Holistic Perspective: Miriam Kennet CEO Green Economics Institute

The Engineer’s Story: Dr Tim Fox Head, Environment & Climate Change IMechE

Question-Time: Chaired by Professor Peter Liss, University of East Anglia

Personal Observations: Prof Roderick Arthur Smith Deputy President, IMechE

Closing Remarks: Frank Mugford Chairman, IMechE, Reading