Parallel Session A
“New Scientific Knowledge and International Network to Support Global Sustainability” (2)

Many commented on global urgency of arriving at new knowledge to solve these global challenges but expressed the need for robust scientific evidence given the intense scrutiny to which new knowledge is being subjected.

There is also a danger that the scientific knowledge could be translated into advice and policy well beyond the scientific confidence levels. 

One of the challenges of shortening timescales between discovery and exploitation are the risks that could arise by the application of science where the unintended consequences are adverse.

For example, biofuels vs. the global demand for food supplies; environmental regulation vs. economic growth and poverty; the harnessing of hydroelectric energy vs. long term ecological damage.

In addition to the discovery of new knowledge and its application to global sustainability another role of universities is,

• Educate future citizens and leaders
• Demonstrate that sustainable campuses are possible and relatively inexpensive

Let us now turn to the first item that is the creation of new scientific knowledge to address the challenges of global sustainability.

All of the presenters referred to the importance of interdisciplinary research in solving complex problems while recognizing the importance of a strong disciplinary background.

President Kenichi Iga from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, in particular emphasized the importance of science and technology and its role in innovation and identified the university’s responsibility to disseminate and inform the public on what the university’s outcomes are – innovative methods, tools and technologies.