Prime Minister of Korea, Chung, Un-chan, President of Daedeok Innopolis, Kang, Gye-doo, IASP (International Association of Science Parks) board members and academic and business dignitaries opened the first session of the IASP conference in Daedeok Innopolis, Daejeon, this morning.
Luis Sanz, Director General of IASP opened the session by reminding participants that with Green Growth that sometimes lines have been blurred, namely those between facts and interest and politics and science and that, "an optimist is a well informed pessimist," when it comes to viewing science parks through the lens of Green Growth.
The morning's session featured an address by Achim Steiner whom spoke of the impressive spirit and vision of Daedeok Innopolis, the obligation and necessity of Green Growth and about the importance of creating energy with a lower footprint.
The morning's proceedings also featured a presentation by Robert Grubbs, Nobel prize winner in chemistry for his work in olefin metathesis. Plainly speaking, olefin metathesis is a green type of chemistry reaction that produces results in the form of reactions with fewer steps, waste and toxic agents used. Famed environmental statistician, Bjorn Lomborg addressed attendants with sobering statistics on what little has been achieved by existing policies, worldwide, as well as good areas for future investment for science parks based on the cost it takes to reduce emissions per tonne of carbon dioxide.
The conference and exhibition combination runs until the 26th May in Daedeok Innopolis in Daejeon. Over 1000 people from over 53 different countries will attend.
