Press Release 05 October 2007

SPENCE (SHELL) AND ARMSTRONG (MIT): ACTING NOW
TO LIMIT FUTURE DAMAGE

Rome, 15 November 2007 - "This was a great opportunity for young industry experts to exchange views on energy," stated Bill Spence, head of Shell CO2, at the last meeting of the Youth Programme, which took place these past few days during the 20th World Energy Congress. His words were echoed by Robert C. Armstrong, lecturer and head of the chemical engineering department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), "It is very important to get young people involved in these issues. The debate that has taken place in these past few days will help them to understand what are the energy challenges, also in the long term."

In presenting the report "Meeting the energy challenge", Spence emphasized the effects on the population of the 2° rise in temperatures expected between now and 2050: world famine will affect 10 million more people;  35 million more people will suffer the damage produced  by floods and 250 million more people will be affected by malaria. To limit this damage "it is necessary to take immediate action," he said; "deferring our commitments would be hugely detrimental to us all."

WEC Media contact:
Mathias Hocke: hocke@worldenergy.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 5996
Stephan Albrechtskirchinger: albrechtskirchinger@worldenergy.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 5996