Editor’s Comments

Cameron Reed

This edition of P&S contains a diversity of material. Global warming continues to attract attention as indicated by a brief announcement from the Forum Executive regarding APS Council action on the APS statement on this issue. Other material from the Executive includes a call for nominees for the Beller and Marshak Lectureships and background and statement information on candidates for open Executive Committee positions; election should take place beginning in mid-October. Our four main articles cover a spectrum of issues: George Crabtree's paper on materials for Sustainable Energy, based on an invited talk at the March APS meeting in Pittsburgh, addresses some of the challenges and opportunities ahead of us in developing materials to help enable the transition to more sustainable forms of energy supply. Former APS President, NBS Director, and President's Science Advisory Committee member Lewis Branscomb writes on "Science as a Model for Rational, Legitimate Government Capable of Meeting Society's Grand Challenges," an article based on an invited presentation given in a session on science policy held during the April meeting in Denver. Tom Ruth of TRIUMF writes on the history and current situation of the medical isotope availability crisis, an issue of personal concern to this writer both as a native of Canada and having undergone a technicium-based bone scan a couple years ago. Continuing with our northern neighbors and also based on an April-meeting invited talk, Elizabeth Dowdeswell of the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Office describes the efforts of that organization to solicit public input on the issue of that country's efforts to establish a nuclear waste repository, an exercise that contrasts strikingly with the United States' Yucca Mountain experience.  Our three book reviews concern volumes that address the probabilities of various global catastrophes (natural disasters, wars, pandemics, and global warming) over the next few decades, possible routes to a "Green revolution," in energy supply, and the scientific aspects of major issues that future Presidents will have to face. As always, we invite your feedback and submissions.

This contribution has not been peer refereed. It represents solely the view(s) of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of APS.