INNOV8 members contemplate controversies surrounding global warming

Dr Neville Comins, CEO of The Innovation Hub (left) with Laurie Barwell, Khungeka Njobe and Dr Sibusiso Sibisi of CSIR, Dr George Philander, and Dr Philemon Mjwara and Dr Adi Paterson of the Department of Science and Technology. Pub@Hub events provide INNOV8 members with many opportunities for networking. Henk Schuiling of Air Systems / AheadTech, shows his appreciation for the light-hearted answer provided by Prof Philander to his question.

Members of The Innovation Hub's INNOV8 high-tech community attended an event on 4 July that left the entire audience contemplating the future of the human race on Earth - and the reason was not related to America's Independence Day celebrations!

In collaboration with the CSIR, acclaimed geoscientist Prof George Philander was the guest speaker at the Hub's regular Pub@Hub business-networking event with a thought-provoking presentation on "Why Global Warming is Controversial".

Philander is a Professor of Geosciences at Princeton University in the United States and the Director of Princeton University's Programme in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. He is also the author of "Our Affair with El Niño: How We Transformed an Enchanting Peruvian Current into a Global Climate Hazard" and "Is the Temperature Rising? The Uncertain Science of Global Warming", as well as numerous articles and reviews in accredited journals. He is an authority on global warming and related matters.

According to Philander, global warming is controversial because the human race is reluctant to acknowledge uncertainties, and therefore tries to create rationalities that do not always combine all the necessary facts into a composite whole.

He emphasised that global warming is not a matter that should be left to the experts. As global citizens, all people should have an interest in preserving their planet. While the Earth has withstood many environmental catastrophes and it could probably cope with global warming, the impact on the human race and other species could be as detrimental as leading to extinction.

It was evident from comments from INNOV8 members after the event that his insights provided a significant 'reality check' about the importance of being aware of the scope and potential impacts of global warming and helping to create a better understanding amongst our fellow global citizens of how to mitigate against its escalation.

If you are interested in attending future events for the INNOV8 community, contact us or visit Value-Added Services on our website for further information.

For further information on Prof George Philander please visit www.aos.princeton.edu/faculty/philander.html

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