More than 60 leading experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, as well as space sciences, shared their latest research and work. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – Renowned scientists from across the globe gathered in South Korea on Wednesday to discuss challenging global issues and to come up with scientific solutions.
The 2016 Inter-Academy Seoul Science Forum (IASSF), hosted by the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), kicked off in Seoul for a two-day run under the theme of “Earth, Space, Human and Future.”
More than 60 leading experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, as well as space sciences, shared their latest research and work.
Noticeably, researchers and scientists participated in discussions on the strategy for sustainable development, and in the fields of climate change and renewable energy.
Gordon McBean, the president of the International Council for Science (ICSU), delivered a keynote speech with the theme of “integrating global and national science for actions on disaster risk reduction.”
“Japanese approach to risk production is leading in many cases in the world,” the Canadian climate scientist said, noting that the country has a warning system that quickly informs its citizens.
McBean said the issue of predicting earthquakes is a very difficult scientific question and there is still disagreement among scientists.
“Efforts are being made by scientists so that we can better predict major ones in the near future,” McBean said.
In September, strong earthquakes hit Gyeongju, located some 371 kilometers southeast of Seoul, with one of them being a magnitude 5.8, the strongest to hit the Korean Peninsula to date.
Many have since raised concerns over the safety of nuclear power plants, most of which are located near the epicenter, as the region has been continuously rocked by hundreds of aftershocks since then.
“My advice is not to build nuclear power plants after a giant earthquake. Germany decided to stop nuclear power plants although there is no history of earthquakes in Germany,” German scientist Ernst-Ludwig Winnacke said.
Other experts also raised the importance of roles scientists have on the issue of climate change.
“Climate change is difficult to solve with existing technology”, John C. Mankins, president of Mankins Space Technology Inc. said, adding that the energy demand will be quadrupled in the near future.
Mankins recommended solar power satellites (SPS) as the next generation renewable energy, saying they are not only eco-friendly but also cheap.
(Yonhap)
