Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development prior to Rio+20

At a time when scientific evidence indicates that humanity has pushed the Earth system close to the limits of planetary boundaries, the role of science and technology in tackling the Earth’s most pressing problems has never been more critical.

Multiple findings from many fields of the natural and social sciences all point to developing global crises in climate change, biodiversity, water and food security, and many other human-environment interactions. Amongst scientists, there is broad consensus that these are all linked to a massive acceleration in the consumption of resources and production of waste materials by the global population. Scientists at the forum will warn that future growth and managing the complex, interconnected risks will create a new reality necessitating an overhaul of the global economic system.

They will also highlight the critical need for science to play a bigger role in the transition to a green economy,  and emphasize the need for delegates at Rio+20 to include measures to strengthen links between science and policy.

“There will be no green economy without clean technology, innovation and sound science”, said Gisbert Glaser, senior advisor at the International Council for Science.

The Forum is organized by the International Council for Science (ICSU), in partnership with UNESCO, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), the International Social Science Council (ISSC), the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. ICSU is also co-organizing the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group in the Rio+20 conference.

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