3rd Dialogue on Science from 29 September to 1 October 2004 in Engelberg

Will climate change the world?

More and more scientists are warning of dramatic climate changes. But there are also opposing views, which regard the unusual events as natu-ral phenomena. Where the world stands today and what measures ought to be taken will be the subject of the third Dialogue on Science of Academia Engelberg at the end of September 2004 in Engelberg.

The three-day science conference will focus on questions concerning climate change. After an overview of the present state of climate research by Professor Heinz Wanner, University of Bern, and Prof. Christoph Schär, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, as well as Ambassador Beat Nobs from Federal Office for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (BUWAL), speakers from all camps such, as Dr. Brian Flannery, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Jennifer Morgan, WWF International, Prof. Hans von Storch, Institute of Coastal Research, Prof. Dieter Imboden, Environmental Physics ETH Zurich, Dr. Miachel Kohn, ICC Paris, Dr. Roger Baud, Alliance for Global Sustainability, and other scientists of world renown will present their views on Thursday and Friday.

Is Kyoto dead?

On the second day, the discussion will focus on the use of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The USA is blocking all agreements on the wording of further objectives.

Will Europe take the lead and show new ways to find a solution, without too negative an im-pact on the economy? On this subject Jennifer Morgan, Director of the WWF Climate Change Programme, ventures a look into the future. Dr. Brian Flannery explains the path recommended by Exxon Mobil Corporation in the context of growth, ecological balance and social progress. The view of European business is presented by Dr. Michael Kohn, ICC Paris.

Climate change and the Third World

The third day is devoted to the scarcity of vital resources such as drinking water and soil, social and cultural uprooting as a consequence of unsuccessful economic policies and an overexploitation of nature. In many countries, these problems are central to the conflicts and refugee situations prevailing in these regions. The position in India today will be explained by Dr. Leena Srivastava, Vice-Director of TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), New Delhi.

Contradictory discussions

Around 180 personally invited representatives of science, business, society and politics from all over the world will develop ideas on the burning issues at the 3rd Dialogue on Science of Academia Engelberg from 29 September to 1 October 2004. Based on the presentation of controversial examples and in discussion rounds, Academia Engelberg will promote dialogue on issues of the future, so that science and society can find common paths towards tackling these issues in a positive way.

Further information for the media is obtainable from Academia Engelberg,
Beatrice Suter, KommunikationsWerkstatt, Tel. +41-41-660 96 19, Fax +41-41-660 96 28,
E-Mail: kommwerk@tic.ch