Linacre Lectures 2011

Riding the Perfect Storm

The theme for the 2011 Linacre Lectures is based upon Professor Sir John Beddington's "Perfect Storm" idea, first presented in early 2009 that the world is at significant risk of facing multiple interacting environmental and natural resource challenges by "2030". Professor Beddington is the Chief Science Advisor to the UK Government. His Perfect Storm scenario is based on the interaction and cross-amplification of emerging food, water and energy shortages, which, on reaching a critical threshold, could lead to public unrest, cross-border conflicts and mass migration.

The Linacre Lectures 2011 'Riding the Perfect Storm' will be held in the Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Clarendon Laboratory, Dept. of Physics (opposite Keble College), at 5:30pm on a Thursday afternoon during Hilary Term in Weeks 2 to 8 (27 January - 10 March 2011) inclusive. Supported by Tetra Laval and organised by Linacre College and ECI.

Lectures:

	Week 1: 20 January 2011 Cancun COP16: A beacon of hope re-ignited? Panel Discussion with: Mark Lynas, Author; Dr Constance McDermott, ECI; Dr Mark New, SoGE; James Painter, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, BBC World Service; and Dr Heike Schroeder, ECI
	Week 2: 27 January 2011 World on the edge: when will the Big Bubble burst? Listen again [MP3: 20.3MB / 49:37 mins] | No slides used Lester R. Brown, President, Earth Policy Institute, Washington DC
	Week 3: 3 February 2011 Sink or swim? Chasing water security in changing climates Professor David Grey, Visiting Professor in Water Policy, Oxford University, former World Bank Senior Water Advisor Listen again [MP3: 19.8MB / 48:16 mins] | View slides
	Week 4: 10 February 2011 Scratch 'n' sniff: Emerging infections, why so many? Professor Angela McLean, Co-Director, Institute for Emerging Infections, University of Oxford Listen again [MP3: 22.6MB / 55.06 mins] | View slides
	Week 5: 17 February 2011 The Biodiversity Crisis – Will we turn the corner or go over the precipice? Dr Simon Stuart, Chair of the Species Survival Commission, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Visiting Professor, University of Bath Listen again [MP3: 15.4MB / 37:36 mins] | View slides
	Week 6: 24 February 2011 The food security challenge: will current institutions provide adequate shelter from the gathering storm? Professor Tim Lang, City University London View slides
	Week 7: 3 March 2011 A globally sustainable energy system: the economics and politics of the transition Professor Paul Ekins, Energy Institute, University College London

• Week 8:10 March 2011

  Final Session: Perfect Storm "Question Time Panel"
• Professor Myles Allen, Professor-elect of Geosystem Science, SoGE, University of Oxford
• Professor Jim Hall, Director ECI, Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks, University of Oxford
• Dr Steve Jennings, Head of Programme Policy Team, Oxfam
• Professor Chris Leaver CBE, Emeritus Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford
• Mr Colin Tudge, Author and co-Founder, Campaign for Real Farming

Further Information

• Food, Energy, Water and the Climate: A Perfect Storm of Global Events?
  By John Beddington CMG FRS, Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government
• Professor Sir John Beddington's original speech at SDUK 09