David King

History

Sir David King was appointed the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Office of Science and Technology in October 2000. Born in South Africa in 1939, and after an early career at the University of Witwatersrand, Imperial College and the University of East Anglia, he became the Brunner Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Liverpool in 1974.

In 1988, he was appointed 1920 Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and subsequently became Master of Downing College (1995-2000), and Head of the University Chemistry Department (1993-2000). He retains his position at Cambridge as 1920 Professor of Chemistry. [1]

From Sceptic to Proponent of Nucelar Power

Media reports suggest that King’s conversion to nuclear power has been made only recently as the evidence on climate change has accumulated.

And that he used to oppose nuclear power [2]

However, King has been calling for new nuclear power consistently now since 2002. The scientist first called for more nuclear energy to help combat global climate change in 2002. [3] Even before that he was an advocate of nuclear power:

For the past two years Sir David

http://www.world-nuclear.org/opinion/times180803.htm

David Adam, 21st October 2005. Chief scientist backs nuclear power revival. The Guardian.

In December 2005, writing in the Guardian I believe it is now the time to look again at nuclear energy. [4] He has a history of pro-nuclear views:

Links to the Nuclear Industry

In 2001, David King was the Chairman of a meeting of Fusion Fast Track Experts that recommended that “The ITER (an experimental fusion reactor) project is the essential step towards energy production on a fast track�. The subsequent report was known as the King report. http://www.fusion.org.uk/culham/fasttrack.pdf King hopes that nuclear fusion will be used in the next thirty-five years in the UK http://www.bath.ac.uk/pr/releases/sciencechief.htm

Sir David spoke at t he inaugural conference of the World Nuclear University CHECK DATE. The aim of the University is the “safe and increasing use of nuclear power as the one proven technology able to produce clean energy on a large global scale�. Other speakers included James Lovelock; John Ritch the Director General, World Nuclear Association and Hugh Collum, the Chairman of BNFL

[5]

From a young scientist’s point of view, the message to get across is that nuclear energy continues to offer exciting and new challenges, with a strong potential to provide a path forward for our future energy problems and for the sustainability of our global low-carbon economies. It is an industry with a vibrant future - that’s the message to get across, and let me also say a critically important future. [6]

In May 2005 he was the Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the British Nuclear Energy Society CK Annual Dinner [7] In May 2006, King is due to speak at the Inaugural Nuclear Industry Forum of the right-wing think tank the Adam Smith Institute. The supporting association for the event is the Nuclear Industry Association [[8]] David King’s other foe pars www.ost.gov.uk

I am particularly happy this morning to welcome Sir David King, the Chief Science Adviser of Her Majesty's Government. Sir David is not a nuclear expert but he is an eminently clear thinker. He has provided sound advice to his government on energy and the environment, and Britain's interests will be well served when his government listens.

http://world-nuclear-university.org/html/inaugural_ceremony/part_2.htm