Earth Air Fire Water

Science and the Global Challenge

Over 200 delegates attended the Royal Society of Chemistry's Parliamentary Links Day on Tuesday 26 June 2007 in the Attlee Suite Portcullis House.

The Parliamentary Links Day is the largest scientific event held annually in the Houses of Parliament and involves active participation of sister organisations such as the Institute of Physics, the Institute of Biology, the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.  Each delegate was given coloured paper hand fans to draw attention to the hotter times ahead for the world unless scientists and politicians work together to mitigate the threat of climate change. 

This year's theme was "Earth Air Fire Water: Science and the Global Challenge". Speakers from Government and Parliament include the Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, and Alan Duncan MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. 

Outgoing and incoming Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair  both sent messages to guests at the event. Mr Brown stated: "I want the UK to be the most attractive place in which to do science."

This event provides a valuable and timely opportunity to discuss ways in which science is responding to the global challenges we face including climate change. 

Speakers also included President of the Royal Society, Lord Rees of Ludlow, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Jim Feast, the Chair of the House of Commons Science & Technology Selelct Committee, Phil Willis MP, and the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King.