This issue is largely dedicated to Climate Change, a topic which has been widely discussed since the Copenhagen
Conference, followed by the public debate on the Carbon Levy and the recent controversy aroused by the climate
change « sceptics ». The scientists who have contributed to this issue of our Journal, edited by Robert Kandel, stand
deliberately aloof from the public debate, although they do stress the overall reliability of the IPCC data: their aim
is to highlight the current state of knowledge in the fields they are studying. We refer our readers to the overall presentation
by Robert Kandel of the articles addressing this topic.
Michel Rocard, former Prime Minister of France, kindly responded to our invitation to prepare a paper on « Public
Decisions and Major Societal Issues ». Facing the Climate Change issue – or other problems of the same magnitude,
such as public health issues (contaminated blood, mad cow disease, the risks of nuclear energy.. ) or how to
repay the massive public debt which most Governments have currently to face – we wanted to know how a politician,
more specifically a Head of State or of Government or a Member of Parliament elected to legislate and to
control Government, takes into account the advice formulated by the scientific community before making the decisions
which the circumstances call for. Pierre Mendès-France, another former Prime Minister of France, used to say
that « To govern, is to choose ». Michel Rocard draws on his experience to underline how difficult the task is.
Politicians have to react quickly in a state of uncertainty and under constant pressure from the media. In the case
of Climate Change – but not in that case alone – the political response can only be worldwide and correspondingly
difficult to attain. And here we are dealing with an issue mostly within the realm of the natural sciences, where
the conclusions of the scientific community are reliable and consistent, even if – as the recent controversy has shown
– they may be disputed by other scientists and are in any event liable to be improved upon in the light of more
accurate data. In the case of the global financial and economic crisis, the situation is even more difficult, for the
advice of the scientific community – here the social rather than the natural sciences - is far more contradictory as
regards both the causes and the remedies required to solve the problem. The advice of elder statesmen such as
Michel ROCARD, drawing on the wisdom born of experience, can prove a welcome additive to the solutions arrived
at by the politicians in power, acting under the pressure of events.
This issue of our Journal coincides with the 20th anniversary of our CNRS Alumni Association. It was founded in
April 1990 by François Kourilsky, then Director General of CNRS, in order, as set out in Article 1 of its charter :
- 1. to contribute through all appropriate means to the promotion of the CNRS and of French scientific
research
- 2. to promote exchanges and connections between the friends and former members of CNRS in France and
abroad
Where do we stand to-day ? The « Advancement of the CNRS » is achieved through our Journal, our website and
by countless talks, lectures and visits organized by our members and by trips both in France and abroad.
The activity of our members in France displayed on our website testifies to the « Contacts and connections » at
home. Abroad, our first overseas club was set up in China in 2009 and a second one is taking shape in Brazil.
We aim to do much more, in close cooperation with the CNRS’ regional representatives and heads of offices abroad.
At home, the « Promotion of the CNRS » will be enhanced through « Discover Science » initiatives in school and
among a broader audience, with a view to enabling our fellow citizens to become more fully aware of the progress
and of the opportunities which science offers to society. Many of our members are keen to participate in these initiatives,
given the opportunity and some material support. This will be a major new undertaking of our Association
in the years ahead.
Abroad, the « Promotion of French Science » rests on the network of foreign scientists who have conducted research in
France and often occupy key positions in their countries of origin. Scientists from abroad currently in France are
invited to participate in our Association’s activities during their stay so that they may discover the many attractions
of life in France with the care and assistance of our members. When they return home we look forward to staying
in touch with them as Alumni, organizing exchange visits and exchanging information on scientific activities in our
respective countries through journals and the Internet.
Many Happy Returns to all on this 20th Anniversary!
Edmond Arthur LISLE
President, CNRS Alumni Association