Mission critical for carbon management( BOSTON Integrating science and public ...)

BOSTON Integrating science and public policy with the needs of consumers and the global economy is critical if we have any chance of reducing the effects of carbon on the climate, say scientists at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Dramatic changes are in store for the global energy system, says Mike Davis, who leads the Energy and Environment Directorate at the Department of Energys Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Collaboration among scientists, policy makers and industry must happen at unprecedented levels with science providing the basis for viable solutions.

Scientists from around the globe will discuss the role of science, technology and policy in developing solutions to manage carbon during the AAAS symposium The Carbon Journey: Understanding Global Climate Effects and Advancing Solutions.

Davis will moderate the symposium with presentations from Michael Mudd of AEP and FutureGen, Douglas Ray of PNNL, Robert C. Marlay from the U.S. Climate Change Technology Program, Xinhe Bao of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics and V. Ramanathan, from the University of California San Diego.

Globally, 85 percent of energy comes from hydrocarbons coal, oil, natural gas and biomass. As demand for energy continues to rise, carbon emissions will increase. PNNL organized the symposium to provide an overview of the scientific, political, industrial and international perspectives related to climate change and carbon management challenges.

To have a meaningful impact on managing carbon emission, we need to think about the problem globally, says Davis. The solutions have to work for China, India, our own country and many others. Solutions have to be realistic and respect standards of living, the economy and national security.

Ray, who leads PNNLs Fundamental and Computational Sciences Directorate, will give an overview of scientific questions that must be a
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