The 25 threats facing Britain

photo credit: yak23flora

The world is changing fast - and we need to be prepared for the risks that may go hand in hand with technological advances. A team led by Professor Bill Sutherland of Cambridge University has drawn up a list of 25 potential threats to Britain, which includes the release of man-made viruses, the building of microscopic robots through nanotechnology, the use of biofuels, and experiments in “climate engineering”, for example the deployment of solar shields and the “fertilising” of oceans.

All of these developments could bring great benefits to humanity, said Sutherland - but before rushing into them, we should be examining the potential consequences. He was inspired, by the debate over GM crops.

“I was struck by the fact that we were doing a lot of research into the environmental effects of GM crops after policy makers had made their decisions - it was the wrong way around.”

The same thing seems to be happening with biofuels and offshore power plants, which are being talked of as environmental solutions before their impact has been properly assessed.