UNU/UNESCO International Conference 　 　　 Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities for Science and Technology　 Workshop: Linking Globalization, Science and Technology for Peace and Sustainable Development 　　　　　　　　　― 3. Society and Policy-making -―

　　 A Proposal of A global project “Total Study of the Earth” 　　　　 involving UNU/UNESCO, ICSU and IUPAC　　　　　　　　 in the age of “Science for Society”

　　　　　　　　 August 23-24, 2006 Yokohama Pacifico, Yokohama

　　　 Akihiro Abe 　　　　 Tokyo Polytechnic University 　　　　 Nano-Science Research Center 　　　　

NASA Eos Committee Report

The earth is essentially a chemical planet controlled by 1. Mass Conservation Low 2. Energy Conservation LowFor a given energy consumption, we are obliged to pay certain entropy bill in terms of either heat or low-energy materials. The environmental problems are typical examples. The principle applies to all energies regardless of their source: fossil, nuclear, water power, sunshine, etc. It does not matter whether the arguments are from materialism or dualism. Those who are not materialists should also accept the results.

A pessimistic view on the human civilization:Human-beings have succeeded in establishing a modern civilization by learning the use of energy.

For humanity to last longer, Chemical sciences* must play a leading role in the society. 　Otherwise, sooner or later the humans would possibly come to the cease of existence in ignorance of the entropy concept. -------------------------------------------------------------------

*Chemistry is the discipline studying the consistency between energy and matter (materials), the two being like the two sides of a sheet.

Inorganic

Physical & Biophysical

Macromolecular

Organic & Biomolecular

Nomenclature &Structure Representation

Human Health

Environment

Analytical

Chemistry

Physics

Biology

SCIENCE

MATERIALS

IUPAC DIVISIONS

Photosynthesis CO2 Fixation

ADP

ATP

NADP+

NADPH

H2O CO2

O2 C6H12O6

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules

h h

A modern role of Chemistry : These days most chemists are working in their own laboratory isolated from the mother nature.

We, chemists however should realize that we are obliged, more than anyone else, to understand all aspects of the materials-energy circulation taking place on the earth. (cf. ACS Project, “Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society” 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill, NY, 2006.)

This applies to all chemists regardless whether he/she is a technological optimist or an environmental pessimist.

After all these considerations, I am inclined to

propose a large-scale international collaboration

as a contribution to the world society by means of

the knowledge indigenous to chemistry

(materials-energy balance).

A Proposal of a Long-Term Project: “total studies of the earth” in terms of the materials-energy balance:

A standing committee sponsored by UNU/ 　UNESCO and/or ICSU in collaboration with IUPAC and other scientific organizations.

After a hard work over an extended period, I am sure they will come up with a collective (semi-quantitative) picture of our planet in terms of the materials-energy balance for both living and non-living systems. .

Project (continued): In these studies, all branches of chemistry including thermodynamics (the energy-entropy relations) must be involved.

Collaborations with other disciplines such as biology and physics are of course inevitable. A world-wide cooperation with the other organizations is a prerequisite.

　 A global project advocated by UNU/UNESCO and/or ICSU would possibly increase the number of scientifically-motivated people who can voluntarily contribute by observing the living and non-living systems in their surroundings. 　 The limitation arising from the availability of professional scientists may be complemented by their participation.

The most difficult part of this program would

be to find a right person(s) to lead the

project. I hope someone will raise his/her

hand.

Concluding Remarks:

I often feel a gap between what scientists (chemists)

think important and the needs of the society. I have

proposed a project as a start toward a new S&T to fill the

gap. 　 A total study of the earth will eventually

demonstrate the capacity (highly possibly the limitation)

of the earth as a material-energy circulating system.

The importance of peace (a life with minimum entropy

emission) may be strongly supported on the scientific

ground, which should inevitably affect human civilization,

culture (our life-style) as well as various policies.

A MODERN ROLE OF S&T FOR SOCIETY:　 ・ Where do we come from? 　— Most recently from monkey. 　　・ What are we? 　 — We should spend more resources

(money and manpower) on this subject: a total study of the earth. 　　・ Where are we going? 　 — Move ahead more cautiously! --------------------------------------------------- Comment: this might imply a conflict between the DNA strategy and the human wisdom.

The Long-term Project proposed may yield some secondary, but immediate merits such as

1 ． The project may provide some useful academic interaction with the ESD program of UNU/UNESCO.

2 ． The ambiguity associated with the use of terminology “sustainability” or “sustainable development” would be cleared up by these steady efforts.

3. The activities may be expanded by involving volunteer (amateur) scientists. 　 (The limitation arising from the availability of professional chemists may be complemented by their participation.)