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[greenyes] Nanotechnology and Environmental Policy Conference


A great opportunity to learn more about this cutting edge of environmental issues from our friends at SVTC....

Please circulate widely to interested individuals and groups. Apologies for cross-posting.



You are invited to attend:



Nanotechnologies and Environmental Policy Conference

Sponsored by Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Clean Production Action and the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production.



June 16-17, 2005

at Santa Clara University, California



A workshop and dialogue for non-governmental organizations on the health, environmental and social impacts of nanotechnologies.



What is the current state of nanotechnology development?

How will it change the face of technology in the coming decades?

What are the social and environmental impacts?

What can we do to protect communities, workers and the environment from this new technology?



Featuring presentations from:

Dr. Ken Geiser, Co-Director, Lowell Center for Sustainable production, University of Massachusetts

Karen Florini, Senior Attorney, Environmental Defense

Dr. Margaret Quinn, School of Health and Environment, Department of Work Environment, U.Mass.

Jim Thomas, Program Manager, ETC group

Christine Peterson, Foresight Institute

Dr. Michael Holman, Research Associate, Lux Research, Inc.

Michael Gill, EPA Region IV

and others...



Also, hear from the NGO community about what efforts are underway to address the impacts of nanotechnology.



To RSVP or for further information, contact John Doucette or Gopal Dayaneni of Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition at 408 287-6707 or reply via e-mail to svtc@no.address



Background:

The Nanotechnologies and Environmental Policy Conference will provide an in depth look at the current state of nanotech research and applications, and a forum for the discussion of the environmental and health concerns of this new technology. You will hear from leading academics, researchers, advocates, activists and professionals in the nanotechnology field. We will also discuss how to best advance policies that prioritize protecting human health and the environment from this rapidly advancing technology. Please join us for this exciting event.

Nanotech research and production is progressing at a speed that out-paces the predictions of the most forecasters. Nano-particles are currently being used in cosmetics, textiles and the US federal government is spending more than $5 billion on research. Economists predict a trillion-dollar multi-industry market for Nano-products over the next 10 to 15 years. Nanotechnologies have the potential to fundamentally transform the manufacturing of energy, biotechnology, medical instruments, computers and much more. Materials that are made stronger and lighter through Nanotechnology will be promoted as "clean energy solutions," and "break-through" in medical applications.

But what about the health and environmental impacts of production, distribution and consumption of these new technologies?

At the current time, the nanotech industry is very hard to regulate due to the imperfect knowledge of the technology and its impacts. Fierce debate has begun over the potential of nano-particles to invade, pollute and damage ecosystems and the human body. The discussion is generating momentum as nanotechnologies are already finding their way into consumers' shopping carts. Future policy direction will not only decide whether we will be protected from hazardous nano-materials, through-out the material life-cycle, but also who will receive the benefits of the technology.

The Two Day Conference:
The first day will provide an in-depth overview of the emerging Nanotech industry including details about the science and current applications. There will be leading academics and activists presenting on the current status of the technology around the globe, and the possible social, economic, and environmental impacts that follow it.

The second day, as members from the NGO community, we can share our concerns about these new technologies, and discuss possible courses of action to keep workers, communities, and environment safe from harm.

We hope that you will join us for this exciting exchange! Please contact John Doucette or Gopal Dayaneni at Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition at 408-287-6707 for more information.



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Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
760 North First Street
San Jose, California 95112



Tel: 408 287 6707 Fax: 408 287 6771
Email: svtc@no.address <mailto:svtc@no.address> Website: www.svtc.org <http://www.svtc.org/>
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