Ian Lowe
Encyclopedia
Ian Lowe is President of the Australian Conservation Foundation
, Professor of Science, Technology and Society
and former Head of the School of Science at Griffith University
, as well as an adjunct professor at Sunshine Coast University and Flinders University
. In 1996 he was chair-person of the advisory council producing the first national report on the state of Australia's environment. He is a patron of Sustainable Population Australia
. One of his principal interests is the way policy decisions influence use of science and technology, especially in the fields of energy and environment.
Lowe was made an Officer of the Order of Australia
in 2001 for services to science, technology, and the environment. In 2002 he was awarded a Centenary Medal
for contributions to environmental science and won the Eureka Prize for promotion of science. His contributions have also been recognised by the Prime Minister's Environment Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, the Queensland Premier's Millennium Award for Excellence in Science and the University of NSW Alumni Award for achievement in science. Lowe was named Humanist of the Year in 1988. He was elected President of the Australian Conservation Foundation in 2004.
Lowe is a member of the Queensland Climate Change Council, the Australian Environmental Health Council and the Australian Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council.
Lowe has authored or co-authored 10 books, 10 Open University books, more than 50 book chapters and over 500 other publications. He wrote for 13 years a regular column for New Scientist and also writes for several other publications, as well as contributing frequently to electronic media programs. Books by Ian Lowe include A Big Fix
, Reaction Time
, Living in the Hothouse
, Why vs Why: Nuclear Power and A Voice of Reason: Reflections on Australia.
Ian Lowe sees the nuclear power
option as being risky and unworkable. He says nuclear power installations peaked last century and in the past 20 years, retirements, cancellations and deferments have outnumbered new reactor construction. Lowe says nuclear power is too expensive, with insurmountable problems associated with waste disposal and weapons proliferation. It is also not a fast enough response to address climate change. Lowe advocates renewable energy
which is "quicker, less expensive and less dangerous than nuclear".
Australian Conservation Foundation
The Australian Conservation Foundation is an Australian non-profit, community-based environmental organisation focused on advocacy, policy research and community outreach.-History:...
, Professor of Science, Technology and Society
Science and technology studies
Science, technology and society is the study of how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these, in turn, affect society, politics and culture...
and former Head of the School of Science at Griffith University
Griffith University
Griffith University is a public, coeducational, research university located in the southeastern region of the Australian state of Queensland. The university has five satellite campuses located in the Gold Coast, Logan City and in the Brisbane suburbs of Mount Gravatt, Nathan and South Bank. Current...
, as well as an adjunct professor at Sunshine Coast University and Flinders University
Flinders University
Flinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
. In 1996 he was chair-person of the advisory council producing the first national report on the state of Australia's environment. He is a patron of Sustainable Population Australia
Sustainable Population Australia
Sustainable Population Australia is an Australian special advocacy group, founded in Canberra in 1988, which seeks to establish an "ecologically sustainable" human population...
. One of his principal interests is the way policy decisions influence use of science and technology, especially in the fields of energy and environment.
Lowe was made an Officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
in 2001 for services to science, technology, and the environment. In 2002 he was awarded a Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
for contributions to environmental science and won the Eureka Prize for promotion of science. His contributions have also been recognised by the Prime Minister's Environment Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, the Queensland Premier's Millennium Award for Excellence in Science and the University of NSW Alumni Award for achievement in science. Lowe was named Humanist of the Year in 1988. He was elected President of the Australian Conservation Foundation in 2004.
Lowe is a member of the Queensland Climate Change Council, the Australian Environmental Health Council and the Australian Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council.
Lowe has authored or co-authored 10 books, 10 Open University books, more than 50 book chapters and over 500 other publications. He wrote for 13 years a regular column for New Scientist and also writes for several other publications, as well as contributing frequently to electronic media programs. Books by Ian Lowe include A Big Fix
A Big Fix
A Big Fix: Radical Solutions for Australia's Environmental Crisis is a 2005 book by Ian Lowe which argues that the warnings from environmental scientists are urgent and unequivocal. Professor Lowe suggests that resources are being used too quickly, environmental systems are being compromised, and...
, Reaction Time
Reaction Time (book)
Reaction Time: Climate Change and the Nuclear Option is a book by Professor Ian Lowe which was officially launched by science broadcaster Robyn Williams at the Brisbane Writers' Festival on 15 September 2007...
, Living in the Hothouse
Living in the Hothouse
Living in the Hothouse: How Global Warming Affects Australia is a 2005 book by Professor Ian Lowe which is a sequel to his Living in the Greenhouse . The book presents a detailed analysis of climate change science and the likely impact of climate change in Australia...
, Why vs Why: Nuclear Power and A Voice of Reason: Reflections on Australia.
Ian Lowe sees the nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
option as being risky and unworkable. He says nuclear power installations peaked last century and in the past 20 years, retirements, cancellations and deferments have outnumbered new reactor construction. Lowe says nuclear power is too expensive, with insurmountable problems associated with waste disposal and weapons proliferation. It is also not a fast enough response to address climate change. Lowe advocates renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
which is "quicker, less expensive and less dangerous than nuclear".
External links
- http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=486
- http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/stories/s1421383.htm
- http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/clever/biog.htm
- http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/alnarc/onlineforum/AL_ath_lowe.htm