Description

A split has emerged in The Hague between political desirability and scientific reality.
The speaker will discuss initial and deeper causes of this split and its consequences.
One is the desire to detach the Netherlands from the "fossil infusion". This will was originally born out of concerns around security of supply, but is increasingly fuelled by the perception, elevated to dogma, that fossil fuel use is the main cause of climate change.
The climate debate is increasingly an emotional one in which alleged facts are proclaimed and defended with great vigour. However, many of these facts are based on a series of assumptions. Furthermore, reality data show that fossil fuels will continue to be an indispensable link in the energy supply of the world, the EU and also the Netherlands. Moreover, the oil industry and Dutch refineries make an important contribution to the Dutch economy and employment.
Forcibly reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions seems to have little chance of success as a unilateral means of halting climate change. Other far-reaching means to reduce climate change are therefore being considered, but some of these seem worse than the disease.
The real solution will have to be found through carefully considered research into, and development of, means to radically change the energy supply for the growing world population and its growing ambitions.

10.30:00 Reception with coffee
11:00 Lecture by Drs J.C.D. Boot
11:45 Pause
12:15 Continuation of lecture with concluding discussion
12:45 End of meeting

Directions:
From national highway A13 Rotterdam or The Hague, exit Delft. Leave IKEA behind you. Go straight ahead at first traffic light, turn left at second (T-junction). Keep right and turn right at the next traffic lights (Mijnbouwstraat). After approx. 100 m, you will see the former mining engineering building on your right. There is some parking next to the building, and also on the service road of the Julianalaan opposite. Public transport via NS Delft Centraal, then bus 62, 80 or 81 (stop Michiel de Ruyterweg) or walk (approx. 20 min).

Speaker(s)

Drs. J.C.D.Boot (1939) studied organic chemistry and philosophy in Leiden.
During his studies, he was a tour guide for foreign visitors to Europe and a teacher of chemistry and physics at the Nederlands Lyceum in The Hague. After graduation, he joined Shell where he served in many positions worldwide, most recently as Manufacturing Director Shell Eastern Petroleum (Singapore). In 1998 and 1999, he acted as leader of the Shell negotiating team for the merger of the refining and logistics operations of Shell and another multinational oil company in Australia.
From 1999 to 2011, he was director of the Netherlands Petroleum Industry Association (VNPI), which represents the common interests of the 10 largest oil companies in the Netherlands.
Mr Boot is a member of Rotary International, and as such was committed to mentoring school youth in Singapore. He is currently involved in mentoring non-Dutch nationals in the Schilderswijk district of The Hague

Location

Science Centre, Mijnbouwstraat 120, Delft

Organiser

History of Technology

Histechnica

Name and contact details for information

Further information from L.A. Hissink at the e-mail address below.

hissinkla@planet.nl