The First ISSI-BJ Understanding Science Lecture 

 

"Understanding Science - Beijing" is organized by the UK Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the Institute of Physics (IoP) of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the International Space Science Institute-Beijing. Its goal is to make a broader public aware of today’s accomplishments in research through short scientific lectures in English (popularization talks) as well as to have an opportunity to talk with either EU or Chinese scientists currently carrying out research in China, in a friendly and multidisciplinary environment.  

The lecture focused on Earth climate change and on the means to address this issue that affects us all. Prof. Roger M. Bonnet exposed the impact of human activity on our planet. He questioned human beings’ lifestyle, especially growth and the use of natural resources. He finally stressed the importance of taking decisions in the 21st century to ensure the long-term survival of people on Earth.  Following this talk, the audience including both Chinese and foreigners, asked a number of questions and there were interesting exchanges on this particularly relevant topic in China. 

About the speaker: Prof. Roger M. Bonnet is a French astrophysicist. He was Director of the Science Programme of the European Space Agency from 1983 to 2001. He then became the chairman of COSPAR and the Executive Director of ISSI in Bern for 10 years. He works now as a senior advisor for the National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.