– Classification of publications – All

18 Oct Energy, technology and climate – Challenges and Opportunities for Action

Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences (NTVA)
2016
Background and summary: In the summer of 2014 14 authors, many members of the Academy, began writing a textbook on energy production, technology and climate challenges. NTVA president Eivind Hiis Hauge was the leader of the editorial staff. The book marked the 60th anniversary of the Academy's founding in Trondheim. It consists of 11 chapters, in which the authors address energy-related problems based on expertise in their own professional fields. Their challenge was to be concise, preferably with sharp conclusions and recommendations to decision-makers.  The authors are themselves responsible for the presentations in and conclusions of their chapters. The book is not a compendium of consensus within the Academy. The book focuses on the technical aspects of the fields of energy and climate. But political guidance is decisive for further developments. Nine chapters on technologies are framed between an introductory chapter and a final chapter slanted toward the social and political sciences. The fields of responsibility covered in the book are complex. Nonetheless there are some principal conclusions:
  • A holistic perspective is essential to achieving goals in the versatile field of energy and climate.
  • It isn’t a lack of fossil resources that will bring the age of fossil fuels to an end.  But a shift away from fossil resources probably will take a long time.
  • A climate-friendly society requires a high degree of electrification.
  • Apparently the Norwegian power grid need not be further developed to meet domestic needs. However, energy surpluses may be used for efficient, less polluting industrial production. By exchanging energy Norway can contribute to reducing emissions from other Nordic countries and from northern Europe.
  • The transport sector has an obvious potential for reducing its emissions. Norway has been a leading country in introducing electric cars. Maintaining this pioneer role requires a balanced, broad development of the incentive structure.
On 21st October, the online version of the leading Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten featured a long review of the book. The newspaper Adresseavisen also published commentary based on the book. Review copies of the book were sents to many members of the Press as well as to Members of Parliament on the Energy and Environment Committee, the Research and Education Committee, and the Committee on Business and Industry. The book also was presented at a Ministry of Climate and Environment meeting. With time the book has become well known. Reader reactions have been very positive. Contact: Lars Thomas Dyrhaug
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18 Oct Spatial Planning on the island of Ireland

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2016
Sets out the key concepts on which development of Spatial Planning Frameworks should be based and highlights teh main challenges to be addressed in developing these frameworks
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18 Oct Infrastructure for an island population of 8 million

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2010
The purpose of the report is to identify and make recommendations on the long-term infrastructure which will be required to serve a significantly and rapidly increasing all island population and to achieve world-class competitiveness for the island. Adopting a long-term perspective ensures that proper economic choices are made and avoids the risk of revisiting incremental decisions based on short-term pressures.Firm recommendations, in respect of spatial planning, key infrastructural investment requirement and protection of essential natural resources, were made.
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18 Oct More Years, More Life

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2010
The recommendations focus on the impact of demographic aging on the world of work and lifelong learning in Germany. As aging in the context of work and lifelong learning, however, is closely associated with other domains of life such as health, the family, civil society, and politics, those are also covered. Furthermore, the topics of technology, and local communities and regions are explored in relation to aging. Other areas, such as the reform of pension schemes and the health system, have intentionally only received marginal attention, although they are relevant to the societal opportunities and challenges of aging. These issues have already been examined extensively in other settings and with high levels of expertise.
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18 Oct Position and Role of Engineers in Slovenia

Engineering Academy of Slovenia (IAS)
2009
In each society there have to be strong research programs and research divisions in the industrial sector. Only countries with high innovativeness can be successful. Development of products that are based on own research, patents and technological knowledge is crucial for a society based on knowledge. According to this, Slovenia needs a higher share, role and position of engineers and natural scientist. This has to be supported by tight cooperation of industry with research and academic sphere. In this collection there are articles of speakers at the conference “Position and Role of Engineers in Slovenia”, organised by the Slovenian Academy of Engineering.
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18 Oct Stimulating innovation

Belgium Academies (ARB)
2009
Innovation is now generally considered as an important prerequisite for a prosperous and expanding economy. As a consequence, any government anxious to boost the economic growth in its region should consider innovation as a priority. International comparative studies have repeatedly shown that, with regard to innovation, Flanders is lagging behind its neighbours despite the considerable financial means which are being spent to invigorate the innovation process. CAWET has followed with profound interest the innovation performance of the Flemish industry, and has regularly published its findings and recommendations (the last report was published in April 2001). In the present report an evaluation is made of the current innovation policy and the impact of the engaged financial means. Indeed, on the one hand injecting huge amounts of money in the economy is by no means a guarantee for a strong development of innovation. On the other hand, though, it is encouraging that progress has undoubtedly been made: innovation is now generally considered important and the government has given a high priority to innovation incentives.
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18 Oct Interaction between high school education and private enterprise

Belgium Academies (ARB)
2009
There is a gap between what students are taught in secondary schools and what the business world demands. The first part of this paper looks at the problem itself. There are several reasons why this gap exists, despite the high quality of our educational system. In the second part we look at the somewhat difficult relationship between the business world and the educational system. The business world is extremely heterogeneous and changes rather rapidly, while the educational system tends to be rather sluggish and is not able to respond immediately to all needs of the business world. The third part deals with the information given to our youth about technology, the possibilities of a career in the business world, and what obstacles remain in deciding to choose a job in the business world. In the fourth and last part suggestions are put forward for changing the organisation and structure of our educational system. Changes however must also be carried by society, including: parents, the business world, administration, youth movements and sports clubs. An all round education is certainly not the responsibility of the school only.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 8: Aging: Family, Civil Society, Policy

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
Demographic aging not only brings burdens and challenges to the family and civil society, it also offers new opportunities and chances. The volume on hand elucidates which problems policy—and the social state—have to solve and are capable of solving in societies with aging populations. German, English, American and Italian scholars and practitioners present new findings and perspectives.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 7: Aging and Health

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The volume discusses the multifarious health problems entailed in increasing age and their repercussions for the individual, society, labor market and the care systems. The main focus is on lifelong prevention (nutrition, physical exercise, avoidance and/or treatment of risk factors), the rehabilitative care for older people as well as worksite health promotion.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 6: Aging and Technology

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The volume illuminates, from a psychological, medical and engineering perspective, the way technology can ease the transition from middle-aged to advanced age and increase day-to-day competency. Technology that lends flexible support can make a contribution to the training of mental capacities, the support of day-to-day competencies and the monitoring of vital functions. Modern technology can reduce both health costs and the costs for social security as well as create growth potential.
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