Progressive Science Institute

At New Scientist Live, arms and oil companies are buying credibility from science The sponsorship by Shell and BAE Systems of this weekend’s New Scientist Live festival crosses an ethical red line

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Data is not neutral

The latest post on the PSI blog discusses the pros and cons of data-driven technologies and of the impending automation of work. Discussed in depth is the concept expounded in the book "Inventing the Future" by Srnicek and Williams, that the tendency towards increased automation can be redirected by progressive forces to help create a post-work society that is beneficial for all (and how this is different from current trends, which increase the amount of precarious and low-paid work).

This post also calls for those with skills and data analysis and data science who want to use these to tackle social and environmental issues to get in touch with us, we need your help.

What do you think? Can automation of work be used as a force for positive change, or should its reach be limited?

http://progressivescience.org/index.php/2017/02/11/data-is-not-neutral-how-powerful-interests-are-shaping-21st-century-technology-and-robots-not-immigrants-are-taking-your-job/

Data is Not Neutral – How Powerful Interests are Shaping 21st Century Technology and Robots, Not Immigrants, are Taking your Job – Progressive Science Institute Technological buzzwords like ‘Big Data’, the ‘Internet of Things’ and ‘Machine Learning’ are becoming ubiquitous in our increasingly techno-centric society, with advocates heralding the birth of a new data-driven age where predictive and analytic technologies will inform every aspect of our lives an...

New report from Carbon Tracker and Imperial College London states that fossil fuels could lose 10% of their energy market share by 2020 due to electric cars and cheap solar energy. However, evidence is increasingly showing that the UK is lagging behind on key renewable energy targets, pressure has to be maintained to ensure a low carbon transition occurs as soon as possible.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/feb/02/electric-cars-cheap-solar-power-halt-fossil-fuel-growth-2020

Electric cars and cheap solar 'could halt fossil fuel growth by 2020' Solar power and clean cars are ‘gamechangers’ consistently underestimated by big energy, says Imperial College and Carbon Tracker report

Great piece from work from MIT researchers suggesting that we can't simply rely on technological innovation to get us to a sustainable future. The problem lies in the fact that innovation will simply increase the demands we have of technology whilst not significantly affecting the amount of materials and energy we use to make it. Known as Jevons' Paradox.

"There is a techno-optimist's position that says technological change will fix the environment," Magee observes. "This says, probably not."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170119120234.htm

Technological progress alone won't stem resource use: Researchers find no evidence of an overall reduction in the world's consumption of materials While some scientists believe that the world can achieve significant dematerialization through improvements in technology, a new study finds that technological advances alone will not bring about dematerialization and, ultimately, a sustainable world. The researchers found that no matter how much mo...

Is the government burying the facts on climate change?

DEFRA quietly published the latest report on climate change risks, highlighting high risks of flooding and deaths from high temperatures. It is vital we put pressure on the government to take these risks seriously and take decisive climate change action.

http://progressivescience.org/index.php/2017/01/23/is-the-government-burying-the-facts-on-climate-change/

"Hull has emerged in recent years as an industry leader in renewable energy and also as a hub for the arts... In contrast, BP continues to use the arts as cover for its high-risk drilling, its carbon emissions and its obstruction of crucial climate change legislation."

New on the Huffington Post UK Blog, on renewables, turbines blades as art and the power of the fossil fuel industry.

Wind Power Is Now At The Heart Of Hull - BP's Sponsorship Of The City Of Culture Couldn't Be More Out Of Place On Sunday, in an impressive feat of design and engineering, a 75-metre turbine blade was carefully positioned in the centre of Hull and became the first ...

This morning, over 40,000 snowflakes were dramatically cast into the entrance gallery of London’s Science Museum by science and climate campaigners, dressed in lab coats.

Each flake represented a signature to a petition against oil sponsorship of the museum’s new children’s gallery, Wonderlab, and its decision to introduce entry charges for the gallery, limiting access to those available to pay.

The snowflakes also drew attention to the alarmingly hot Arctic temperatures this winter. Temperatures of -5C have been logged, whereas -25C is more normal for this time of year.

To bring about a , we need to

Photos by Kristian Buus

Last week, the Science Museum launched its new 'Wonderlab: the Statoil Gallery' with brand new entry charges for a gallery that was previously free. After a flurry of protest and controversy at last week's launch, the Guardian hosts a new opinion piece on the issue on its Science pages:

'This is an attempt to associate the future of science and technology with fossil fuels at a time when society and policy makers have finally accepted that that it is not compatible with a sustainable future and a stable climate. As the impacts of climate change intensify and the world shifts away from fossil fuels, the Science Museum will look ever more out of touch with the words “the Statoil gallery” emblazoned upon its walls.'

The Science Museum has lost its way Wonderlab, the new interactive gallery for children at the Science Museum, is a mess of ethical and science communication contradictions.