Electric power generating facilities. [Paul J. Stamler, Washington University] Many signs indicate that the United States is faced with an energy crisis. On the one hand, there is the historic growth trend of energy consumption, which has been doubling every 8 to 10 years. On the other hand, there is growing public concern with the en- vironmental and social consequences of producing that much energy and, fur- ther, of the social value of using it. Public concern has been expressed in many communities regarding the con- struction of power plants and transmis- sion facilities; such concern promises to intensify in the future. There is an obvi- ous need for the relevant scientific data, and for public understanding of them. The symposium is intended to help meet this need. Initially, one can either accept or reject the projection obtained by ex- tending the consumption patterns and trends of the past; this establishes the basis for defining energy "demand." When this demand is determined, one may then choose among the various means of energy conversion which are conventional at present or which are in some stage of development. This re- quires an evaluation, for each means of power generation, of the available fuel resources, the environmental im- pact, and the relation to relevant eco- nomic and social issues. However, all of these considerations are themselves influenced by assumptions regarding fu- ture demand for power, and these, too. must be reexamined. For example, by analyzing the various components that presently constitute energy demand, various alternatives can be devised to maximize social return per unit of en- ergy consumed. In turn, such alterna- tives may have important implications for the economic system, for social processes, and for life styles. The fore- 19 NOVEMBER 1971 going considerations define issuLes to be examined in the symposium. The symposium is sponsored by the AAAS Committee on Environmental Alterations, which, in collaboration with the Scientists' Institute for Public Information, has been preparing a re- port on the subject. The symposium is made up of four sessions which will be held on 28 and 29 December. The gen- eral format provides for relatively short papers (20 or 30 minutes) each fol- lowed by questioning from the plat- form. Following the formal papers, there will be approximately one hour of discussion between participants and audience. 28 December Nuclear Power: Expectations and Implications Participants: Dean E. Abrahamson, Chairman (Center for Studies of the Phys- ical Environment, University of Minne- sota); Arthur Tamplin (Lawrence Radia- tion Laboratory); Milton Shaw (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C.); William Hambleton (Kansas State Geological Survey, University of Kansas); Theodore Taylor (International Research and Technology Corp., Washington, D.C.); Daniel Ford (Harvard University). Milton Shaw and Arthur Tamplin will review the entire nuclear program, emphasizing unresolved problem areas and the environmental and social im- plications of generating power through nuclear processes. Theodore Taylor will address the questions of safe- guards and physical security, and will discuss the storage of high-level radio- active wastes such as that proposed for salt mines in Kansas. Daniel Ford, an active member of the Union of Con- cerned Scientists, a group which has recently conducted an independent evaluation of possible reactor accidents, will discuss that aspect of nuclear power generation. William Hambleton will talk on storage of high-level radio- active wastes. Fossil Fuels-Today and Tomorrow Participants: Arthur Squires, Chairman (The City College, New York City); Jack O'Leary (Washington, D.C.); Harry Cau- dill (Whitesburg, Kentucky); Hoyt Hottel (M.I.T.); Thomas Stauffer (Harvard Uni- versity). Jack O'Leary will review the overall implications of a greatly expanded re- liance on fossil fuels, considering both today's technology and that which is anticipated for the decades ahead. Hoyt Hottel will consider coal gasification, Harry Caudill will discuss the social and environmental implications of min- ing-particularly surface mining in Ap- palachia, and Thomas Stauffer will consider the strategic and financial im- plications of importing hydrocarbons. 29 December Technological Alternatives Participants: James Fay, Chairman (M.I.T.); C. John Banwell and Tsvi Meidav (Resources and Transport Divi- sion, United Nations, New York City); R. Baillie (University of West Virginia); Richard Tybout (Ohio State University). This session is to explore the present status and prospects for several tech- nological alternatives available as en- ergy sources or energy conversion means. Each speaker will describe the energy source, give a status report on its present implications, and discuss the relevant research and development. John Banwell and Tsvi Meidav will discuss geothermal energy, Richard Baillie will consider the fuel potential of trash and rubbish, Richard Tybout will review solar energy, and a fourth speaker will talk about controlled fusion. Reducing the Need for Power Participants: S. David Freeman, Chair- man (Twentieth Century Fund, Washing- ton, D.C.); Barry Commoner (Washing- ton University); Herman Daly (Louisiana State University); Richard Stein (Archi- tect, New York City); John Todd (New Alchemy Institute, Woods Hole, Mass.). The final session is to explore various means through which substantial re- 857 o n A p ril 5 , 2 0 2 1 h ttp ://scie n ce .scie n ce m a g .o rg / D o w n lo a d e d fro m http://science.sciencemag.org/ ductions in power use might be effected or which could be implemented should a scarcity of power develop. Barry Commoner will consider the ecological importance and social implications of reducing reliance on power-intensive production technologies. John Todd will discuss biotechnic decentralization as an alternative to the energy crisis; Herman Daly will consider the eco- nomic implications of a scarcity of en- ergy; and Richard Stein will review the implications of energy use and need from the standpoint of the architect. DEAN E. ABRAHAMSON University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455 29 December Geological Implications of Solid Waste Landfill * D; 0 D~~~~~~~~7 f71X DFff'ff0ffE1D100Xf0l i- X0- -- (Left). Well-managed sanitary landfill opel ready for new development. Trees were reta Domestic and industrial solid wastes are being produced at an ever-increas- ing rate. Every method for disposal of this by-product of our highly produc- tive society is encountering objections with the gradual awakening of an en- vironmental conscience in the public mind. With a concern for air pollution, incineration in major metropolitan areas is under attack; even incineration at its best leaves a residue which re- quires disposal. Open dumping and burning, common methods for handling solid waste disposal, are under attack for health and esthetic reasons. In response to the recognized short- comings of other methods of solid waste disposal, the utilization of solid wastes for sanitary landfill has been the fastest growing technique in the (Right). Restored landfill area last decade. A landfill is a man-made geologic deposit with rather unique physical and chemical properties. Its composition is strikingly inhomogene- ous, as is its particle size. The rate of compaction-settling is extremely high in comparison with natural geological sediments. The porosity and permeabil- ity of solid waste landfills vary within wide limits and the leachate which seeps forth is frequently a biological and chemical contaminant. The scheduled symposium on "Geo- logical Implications of Solid Waste Landfill" is dedicated to the principle that "Out of sight, out of mind" is no longer an acceptable basis for getting rid of solid wastes in the ground. Geologists, hydrologists, planners, and landscape architects will address them- selves to the definition and recognition of the extent to which various geologic and hydrologic conditions in the ground favor or limit the selection of solid landfill waste disposal sites. There has also been developing a new expertise in the physical and chemical effects of the landfill waste materials upon thc sites themselves. The symposium will highlight many of the findings and parameters developed by leading re- searchers in this contemporary field. Speakers and Topics D. A. Stephenson, What To Do before the Garbage Truck A rrives. S. Jackson Hubbard, Designt of a Sanii- tary Landfill. Norbert B. Schomaker, Collstruction Techniques for Sanitary Landfills. George M. Hughes, Hydrogeologic Conz- trols on the Movement of Leaclhates from Refuse. Richard R. Parizek and Donald Lang- muir, Mantagement of Leachates from Sanzitary Lazdfill. Grover H. Emrich, Managemenzt of Hazardous Geologic Conzditionis foor Safe Solid Waste Disposal. Gary L. Merritt and William C. Buccia- relli, The Geologic Aspects in the Plani- ning and Implementtation of the Penin- sylvania Solid Waste Management Act 241. Edwin G. Otton, Solid Waste Disposal in the Geohydrologic Enviroiinment of Marylanid. W. L. Fisher and L. F. Brown, Jr., Ge- ologic Evaluation of Santitary Landfill Sites, Texas Coastal Zonie. ARTHUR A. SOCOLOW State Geologist and Director, Pennsylvania Topographic and Geological Survey, Harrisburg 17120 29-30 December Living Systems: Synthesis, Assembly, Origins Several approaches to the artificial production of living systems will be re- viewed in this symposium. Attention will be focused on systems and on the supporting levels of cellular construc- tion, especially the relevant macro- molecules. Principal topics to be covered first 858 are the chemical synthesis of contem- porary proteins (K. Hofmann, Uni- versity of Pittsburgh) and nucleic acids (M. Caruthers, M.I.T.). The assembly of such macromolecules into systems is emphasized through reports on ex- periments with polymers from living systems. Many biomacromolecular preparations have been reassembled into organelles (D. J. Kushner, Univer- sity of Ottawa); nuclei and cytoplasms of amoebas have been transferred from one membrane to another (J. F. Danielli, State University of New York at Buffalo); and models of primitive macromolecules (R. Lohrmann and R. Sanchez, Salk Institute; and D. L. Rohlfing, University of South Carolina) and of primordial cells and organelles (S. W. Fox, University of Miami) SCIENCE, VOL. 174 o n A p ril 5 , 2 0 2 1 h ttp ://scie n ce .scie n ce m a g .o rg / D o w n lo a d e d fro m http://science.sciencemag.org/ 28-29 December The Energy Crisis: Some Implications and Alternatives Dean E. Abrahamson DOI: 10.1126/science.174.4011.857 (4011), 857-858.174Science ARTICLE TOOLS http://science.sciencemag.org/content/174/4011/857.citation PERMISSIONS http://www.sciencemag.org/help/reprints-and-permissions Terms of ServiceUse of this article is subject to the trademark of AAAS. is a registeredScienceAdvancement of Science, 1200 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005. 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