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Opinions – Débats sur la Science
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La pluie tombe sur la tête de nous tous
David Embury de la PMME
En regardant les reportages sur Cancun à la télévision ou en réfléchissant sur la Conférence de Copenhague, je suis frappé par la différence qui existe entre la recherche scientifique d'aujourd’hui et celle du temps d’Humphry Davy* et de son travail admirable sur les désastres des mines de charbon au nord de l'Angleterre au début des années 1800. Afin de trouver des solutions à la fois pratiques et économiquement viables pour l'amélioration des terribles problèmes de sécurité dans les mines de charbon, Sir Humphry Davy descendait dans les galeries pour parler directement avec les mineurs. Il est aussi intéressant de noter que Davy n'a jamais breveté son invention, dite la lampe Davy, seul la Médaille Rumford lui a été décernée pour ses travaux de recherche exceptionnels.
Aujourd'hui, à l'époque du “savoir instantané”, nous voyons des diplomates mesquins s'interroger : le changement climatique prend-il racine à l'époque de la révolution industrielle? Faut-il taxer les pays en voie de développement utilisant le charbon au nom de l'évolution climatique? A mon humble avis, ces questions sont mal posées. Il convient plutôt d'apporter des solutions collectives à ce problème sérieux en tant qu'être humain. Ces solutions ne résident pas simplement en termes de fiscalité, de responsabilité nationale, d'approvisionnement en combustible ou carburant, etc., mais dans une véritable reconnaissance de l'impact que le changement climatique aurait sur l'homme et que l'humanité partage. La vraie interrogation consiste donc à se demander comment faire pour agir, pour prévenir afin de sauver des vies et aussi de minimiser les dégats dans les zones dévastées quelque soit le lieu où elles se trouvent.
Les sciences, en fait, doivent appliquer de nouvelles méthodes afin de mieux résoudre les problèmes associés à l'agronomie de demain et à l'urgence des situations de catastrophe. De nouveaux matériaux de secours liés à l'installation de logements temporaires devront être développés ; des systèmes de contrôle et de prévention des inondations, la conservation et la réutilisation de l'eau et enfin la remise en état des infrastructures devront être prioritaires. En outre, nous devons éduquer et préparer le grand public dès maintenant aux réelles difficultés qui seront provoquées par le changement climatique, comme des bouleversements sociaux inattendus et des souffrances humaines qui en découlent.
Le changement climatique n'est pas un sport passif ! C'est réellement une menace pour nos sociétés qui se veulent humaines, solidaires et bienveillantes. En tant qu'individus ou organisations, nous devons être actifs et exiger nos acteurs politiques des actions, de l'éducation et des prospectives. Des discours basés sur l'ignorance de la Science et l'absence de vision devraient être balayés.
* Sir Humphry Davy (1778 -1829) est un chimiste britannique. Il isola le sodium, le potassium, le baryum, le strontium et le calcium grace à l'électrolyse en 1807 et 1808. Il est également l'inventeur de la lampe de sécurité à toile métallique pour les mineurs, dite lampe Davy, pour la prévention des explosions dues au grisou ou au poussier.
Science and China's modernization drive
Wen Jiabao
Chinese prime minister WEN Jiabao considers Science as a key to development. See his article published in the USA based magazine SCIENCE (October 30, 2008)
The history of modernization is in essence a history of scientific and technical progress. Scientific discovery and technological inventions have brought about new civilizations, modern industries, and the rise and fall of nations. China is now engaged in a modernization drive unprecedented in the history of humankind.
Over the past half century, China has made great achievements in basic science and technological innovation. It now ranks among the top nations in the annual number of papers published internationally and patent applications filed. China has also made achievements in such areas as manned space flight, high-performance computers, super-large-scale integrated circuits, and third-generation telecommunications technology. High-tech industry has experienced rapid growth, accounting for over 15 percent of the manufacturing industry.
Francis Bacon, the 16th-century English philosopher, referred to science as a means to improve mankind's lot. Today, the hybrid rice variety developed by Chinese scientists has been adopted for planting in over 3 million hectares and has become a "golden key" to meeting China's own food needs and boosting world cereal production. Scientific and technological development in the realm of health has also increased average life expectancy in China to that of developed countries.
To encourage further innovation, the Chinese government has formulated a Mid- to Long-Term Plan for Development of Science and Technology (2006-2020), which highlights research in the basic sciences and frontier technologies, with priority given to energy, water resources, and environmental protection. We strive to develop independent intellectual property rights in areas of information technology and new materials, while strengthening the application of biotechnology to agriculture, industry, population and health.
The future of China's science and technology depends fundamentally on how we attract, train, and use young scientific talents today. Thus, at the core of our science and technology policy is attracting a diverse range of talents, especially young people, into science and providing them with an environment that brings out the best of their creative ideas.
In the field of science and technology, we will intensify institutional reform, restructure scientific research, rationally allocate public resources, and enhance innovation capability. We advocate free academic debate under a lively academic atmosphere, where curiosity-driven exploration is encouraged and failure tolerated.
Science has no boundaries. China's endeavors in science and technology need to be more integrated with those of the world, and the world needs a China that is vibrant and able to deliver more in science and technology. Just as collisions generate sparks, exchange and communication enrich imagination and creativity. Many Chinese scientists have stepped into the international academic arena, where they and their foreign colleagues learn from each other and jointly contribute to the worldwide development of science and technology.
To encourage the learning and application of science among the general public, we need to embrace a scientific culture by promoting scientific rationality while cherishing Chinese cultural heritage. Enlightened by science, the rich and profound Chinese culture is bound to shine more gloriously.
I firmly believe that science is the ultimate revolution. At a time when the current global financial turmoil is dealing a heavy blow to the world economy, it has become all the more important to rely on scientific and technological progress to promote growth in the real economy.
Economic and social development must rely on science and technology, and science and technology must serve economic and social development. We will rely on science and technology to promote economic restructuring, transform development patterns, safeguard food and energy security, and address global climate change. We are confident that China will reap a rich harvest in science and technology and that this will have positive and far-reaching effects on human civilization and the well being of humankind.
American President Obama's speech (17th December 2008)
where he wooed researchers thus:
Right now, in labs, classrooms and companies across America, our leading minds are hard at work chasing the next big idea, on the cusp of breakthroughs that could revolutionize our lives. But history tells us that they cannot do it alone. From landing on the moon, to sequencing the human genome, to inventing the Internet, America has been the first to cross that new frontier because we had leaders who paved the way: leaders like President Kennedy, who inspired us to push the boundaries of the known world and achieve the impossible; leaders who not only invested in our scientists, but who respected the integrity of the scientific process.
more to come ...
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