On 6 May Lord Drayson visited Berlin to give a keynote address at a conference on Germany's High Tech Strategy organised by Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research. During the visit, Lord Drayson gave the following interview to Die Welt...
Translation
Die Welt:
What does the global financial crisis mean for science?
Drayson:
It makes us realise even more that science and innovation are essential for our future prosperity. In the past we had strong economic growth in the UK which was particularly driven by financial services. The current crises compels us to reconsider how our economy works. We must identify those areas where the UK has genuine strengths and growth potential. That is where we then have to invest. It is no exaggeration to say that the financial crisis has already led to a culture change. It shows us how important for example high-technologies, medical progress and energy supplies are. Like a lot of people, I have been concerned for some years that the predominance of the financial sector has siphoned off many talents from other sectors. Even engineers have migrated to the financial centre of the City of London. These talented people are now lacking in research and technology. But the crisis could lead to a trend change.
Die Welt:
You mentioned energy as an important topic. What should research be doing in this sector?
Drayson:
We are facing two major challenges here which we have to tackle at the same time: climate change and energy efficiency. We must invest more money in energy research. This sector has long been neglected. That has to change – globally! Which means exploring more efficient methods for generating energy and turning to cleaner energy sources. To my mind that means renewables and nuclear power. The government must set a clear framework here so that investors, scientists, engineers and industry have a binding vision. This vision is: zero-carbon energy production.
Die Welt:
Must Europe have a common vision on this issue?
Drayson:
That should be our goal. One example: the different weather conditions in Europe mean that different types of renewables have different levels of applicability. Britain and Ireland are quite windy and rainy. Consequently they have a great potential for generating energy from off-shore wind power. That is much more difficult on land, and we can forget solar energy in Britain altogether. By contrast, southern European countries such as Spain and Portugal can generate solar power much better. What we need is an intelligent European energy supply network. It must be flexible enough to use complementary feed-in - for example from fuel cells. Such a pan-European network would benefit everyone.
Die Welt:
Do we need more nuclear energy?
Drayson:
Yes! I think we have to make faster progress in the nuclear energy sector in order to guarantee energy security. It is necessary so that living standards in Europe can grow, which always goes hand in hand with higher energy consumption. To avoid any further burden on the environment, the aim must be a carbon-free electricity supply. Nuclear energy makes a significant contribution here. Simple calculations show that this aim cannot be achieved without nuclear energy. In Britain we have agreed on generating 15% of electricity from renewables by 2020. The global challenge of reducing CO2 emissions means an 80% reduction by 2050 for Britain. That is dramatic! If we do not manage this and temperatures around the globe rise by more than two degrees on average, that will have terrible consequences. It is important to implement change now. The most urgent task is to train enough engineers to design and build the new plants.
Die Welt:
Can the use of fusion technology solve Mankind’s energy problems?
Drayson::
Nuclear fusion does indeed have the potential to provide almost limitless quantities of clean energy. So we must tackle this scientific challenge with all our might. Britain is participating in the international ITER project in southern France. Experts think there may be a commercial nuclear fusion reactor in about 30 years. In view of these long timeline we must keep up our efforts. Britain at least feels very committed to this research.
Die Welt:
What do you expect from the climate conference in Copenhagen?
Drayson:
The biggest challenge for our generation is climate change. That is why we are working for this conference in the expectation that it will bring real progress and specific plans. There must be a clear political statement in Copenhagen that we have to adapt and further develop our economic systems. Then climate change offers great opportunities. I am optimistic overall that the necessary decisions will be taken.
Die Welt:
Sceptics have repeatedly expressed doubts that climate change is really happening.
Drayson:
As Science Minister I have direct access to the data, for example from earth observation satellites on the development of the polar ice caps. I must say that the development of climate change is really dramatic. The data shows that climate change is gaining pace. The pressure to act is thus also growing. Global cooperation must kick in now!
Die Welt:
Has it become easier with the new Administration in Washington to tackle climate change jointly?
Drayson:
Yes! In the USA we are experiencing a tremendous turnaround. The leading figures are rethinking. Although there are still individual disputed points on the climate change agenda, we are now making great steps towards a global agreement. That is really important. It simplifies the exchange of research findings and know-how on the development of low-carbon energy supplies. It is very important for the world to pull together to find solutions to climate change. Individual countries cannot act in isolation here. We are a global market and we need a common answer.
Die Welt:
How can we motivate young people to study natural sciences?
Drayson:
We must inspire them! In Britain we are already doing a lot in this direction and are seeing initial results. We must link challenges like climate change to courses of study and motivate young people to become part of the solution. In this respect, climate change is actually a wonderful tool to show the next generation of scientists and engineers: we can change the world! It is also about communicating the major career opportunities. In Britain there will be about 2.9 million new jobs for scientists and engineers by 2017. Today we already have a shortage of graduates in these subjects – like Germany, too. If we lack these talented people we shall not be able to overcome the major challenges.
Die Welt:
You have already indicated that the financial crisis can help here because young people suddenly no longer find economics so attractive.
Drayson:
That’s correct. In the financial sector, particularly intelligent people are called “rocket scientists”. We have launched a campaign appealing to the “rocket scientists” to start building real rockets again.
Die Welt:
Talking of rockets, how is the future of European space travel looking?
Drayson:
I think European space travel has a great future. We have just concluded a major programme. For Britain space exploration is a vital goal. We have already spoken about earth observation in the context of climate change. A further important task is to provide rural areas with fast Internet access via satellite. And one of the most exciting questions for science is without a doubt the search for the origins of the universe.
Die Welt:
What do you think of space tourism?
Drayson:
People might think that space tourism is a trivial matter. But that is not so. Because it leads to cost reductions in space travel, to new economic models and overall to a new way of thinking. One example of this new thinking is the so-called micro-satellites. These are low-cost satellites which fly in formation and together provide really good data.
Die Welt:
And as the grand vision there are manned flights to Mars?
Drayson:
It is wonderful to be able to say to schoolchildren today that they might be among the first people to walk on Mars. That releases energy and creativity: if you want to go to Mars, you must do your maths homework.
Die Welt:
How does one stimulate innovations?
Drayson:
There are major challenges, but we humans have the ability and creativity to overcome them. Provided we invest enough energy and resources. To drive innovation forward we must therefore first provide sufficient money. Second, we need well-trained people. Third, one must create an infrastructure that promotes entrepreneurship and sensible risk-taking. There must also be recognition. Our society needs a sense for vitality and dynamism.
Die Welt:
What does that mean specifically?
Drayson:
In Britain we are strengthening science tuition in schools, especially maths. We are offering a sufficient number of courses at universities, maintain good funding for research establishments and want tax exemption for a certain period for companies spun out from research institutes. We want to make scientists into entrepreneurs and heroes. Then we can also be role models for the next generation.
Die Welt:
Is Britain well-prepared for swine flu?
Drayson:
I think we are well-prepared. My background is in industry and my company was one of the largest manufacturers of flu vaccines in Britain. One thing that has always fascinated me about flu vaccines is that a new vaccine is available each year. To do this the entire world has to collaborate in monitoring the flu viruses because the pathogens are constantly evolving further. The infrastructure which has evolved for the development of new vaccines is the best example of international cooperation. How we are now reacting to the new flu virus is really well organised. Researchers are closely monitoring the spread and will take all necessary steps. We can rely on that.
