Can algae save the world?

July 15, 2008

Can science really help slow down climate change? How could technology save the planet? Could new technology be doing more harm than good?

A new exhibition opening on Saturday, 19 July, at Newcastle’s Centre for Life, titled Can algae save the world?...and other important questions about solving climate change, uses three simple questions to allow visitors to make sense of the arguments surrounding the proposals to fight climate change.

Focusing on biofuels, the exhibition will examine the controversies around them – including whether we have enough land to produce them, and the effects these fuels have on the environment – as well as looking at how biofuels could be better made in the future.

Ian Simmons, Science Communications Director at the Centre for Life, said, “Climate change is the topic of the moment and continually generates lively discussion and debate. This exhibition cuts through the hype, allowing visitors to weigh up the pros and cons and decide where they stand on key issues.”

Other exhibition highlights include a selection of biofuels together with the plants that make them, an interactive game where visitors take the role of a superhero battling climate change, and a postcard wall for visitors to leave their views on what could save the world.

The exhibition follows the government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation initiative, which means by 2010; biofuels will make up five per cent of all fuels sold at the pumps.
Can algae save the world?...and other important questions about solving climate change was developed by the Science Museum and is sponsored by Siemens. It will run at the Centre for Life from 19 July until the 8 September 2008.
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Notes to Editors:
This exhibition was created and designed by the Science Museum, London.

Siemens is the major sponsor of this exhibition

About Siemens:

Established in the United Kingdom in 1843 with annual revenues of around £3.5 billion, Siemens provides innovative, high-quality services and solutions to customers in a diverse range of sectors including energy, healthcare, industry, financial services and IT solutions and services.

Siemens provides products and solutions for many of the world’s most prestigious buildings, such as Taipei 101 in Taiwan, the Albert Hall and the Swiss Re building (‘The Gherkin’) in London, and stadiums for the Euro 2004 football championship in Portugal and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens.

For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk.