Technology expands human potential but can also have disastrous consequences for the state of the environment and life on our planet. Technological development that proceeds without concern for its impact on the environment is not viable. New technologies that prevent pollution, rely on clean energy sources and encourage resource conservation should be further researched and pursued. Moreover, progress in every field of human endeavour should be evaluated in terms of its contribution to environmental appreciation and protection. Policy on industry-related risks, scientific research in and development of clean technologies and nuclear safety and radiation protection, must be implemented globally.
Solutions to environmental problems and the development and implementation of environmentally-sound technologies require a range of different disciplines and skills, and, in particular, imagination and innovation. The bio-assessment of technology, as promoted by B.I.O. since 1985, involves a thorough re-evaluation of priorities in technology and the development of initiatives that respect and help the environment. These initiatives include environmentally-friendly technology, as well as progress in genetic engineering and biotechnology, which should, however, always be carried out with the aim of protecting every form of life on our planet.
One of the major B.I.O. goals is to promote the bio-assessment of technology as a vehicle for assisting humanity in making informed decisions and in appreciating and safeguarding all forms of life on our planet. Many leading scholars and scientists have discussed environmental technologies at B.I.O.s international conferences and have contributed to the volumes of proceedings. Over 20 articles have been published in BioNews and on the B.I.O. website. A comprehensive volume on the Bio-Assessment of Technology is published in Bio-Syllabus for European Environmental Education, an 880-page textbook available in print and electronically (CD-Rom). Based on this pioneering material is B.I.O.s e-learning course on Environmental Technology, which will soon be available online as part of our e-learning programme in environmental education.
References
E-LEARNING
- An e-learning course on Environmental Technology has been developed and is currently being offered online through our website
TEXTBOOKS
- Bio-Syllabus for European Environmental Education
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.), Biopolitics International Organisation, Athens 2002, 880 pp. - BIOPOLITICS – DIMENSIONS OF BIOLOGY
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis, Athens, 1985 - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – BIO-SYLLABUS
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis. A model global bio-education promoted by the International University for the Bio-Environment, 1992
– Bio-Technology
A.Vlavianos Arvanitis
PROCEEDINGS
- BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME I
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from the First B.I.O International Conference, Athens, May 1987
– Biotechnology, man and the bio-environment
Guy Sergheraert
– Biotechnology and molecular biology
Constantinos Sekeris
– Biotechnology and the environment
Michael Scoullos
– Bio-environmental protection, materials recovery and cost saving: the case of flotation
Andreas I. Zouboulis and Francis A. Batzias
– Technology and change in the bio-environment: some contributions to process theory
David Watts - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME II
Bios in the Next Millennium
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from the Second B.I.O International Conference, Athens, October 1988
– In praise of technology’s humanity
Elias P. Gyftopoulos
– The progress of biological sciences and the future of bios
George M. Maniatis
– The future of science and technology in Asia
Frederick So. Pada - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME III
The International University for the Bio-Environment
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from the Fourth B.I.O International Conference, Athens, January 1991
– Industrial biotechnology and biopolitical problems
Michail N. Manakov and N.B. Gradova
– Supraorganismic biological structures in biopolitical terms
Michali Gusev, Alexander V. Oleskin and Vitaly Samuilov
– Biosociety – a sustainable society using technical bioprocessing in natural cycles
Anton Moser
– Approach to global environmental issues by biological applications
Jiro Kondo - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT -VOLUME IV
The Bio-Assessment of Technology
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis, R. Keles (Eds.) Proceedings from the Fifth B.I.O International Conference, Istanbul, May 1992
– Bio-environmental problems and chemical engineering in Russia
Michael Manakov and Pavel Sarkisov
– Needed educational revision on the impact of technology
Kumaran Fernando
– Technological imperatives – challenges and solutions
Nicholas Ashford
– Prevention of environmental problems
Adnan Aydin
– The anthropo-ecological approach as a background to technology
Jaroslav Stoklasa - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME V
International Sakharov Festival
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from the Sixth B.I.O International Conference, Athens, July 1994
– Resource conservation and utilisation – a magnificent opportunity
J. Patrick Nicholson
– Technological progress and the future of bios
Nikos Katsaros
– A quantitative analysis of the bio-environment
Ivana S. Djujic - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME VI
Danube River Bonds
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis, J. Morovic (Eds.) Proceedings from the Seventh B.I.O. International Conference, Bratislava, June 1997
– Science and technology: benefits and risks for the Danube river basin
Ivana Djujic and Borivoje Djujic - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME VII
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis, L. Kapolyi (Eds.) Proceedings from the Eighth B.I.O. International Conference, Budapest, September 1998
– Ecological crisis challenge and the need for supranational scientific co-operation
Dusan Kanazir
– The year 2000 problem: the first biopolitical crisis of a new era
John L. Petersen - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME VIII
Racing to Save the Environment
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) B.I.O. International Conferences, Athens 2000-2001
– Waste water biotechnologies
Joachim Paul Schaefer and George Kalos
– Technology towards sustainability
Nicholas Moussiopoulos
– Technological progress for the man of the third millennium
Samy El Gindy - BIOPOLITICS – BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME I
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from the Second B.I.O Business Conference, Athens, December 1993
– Resource conservation and recovery – action against over-consumerism, pollution and poverty
J. Patrick Nicholson - BIOPOLITICS – BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME II
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from the Second B.I.O Business Conference, New York, February 1995
– Resource conservation and utilisation – a magnificent opportunity
J. Patrick Nicholson - BIOPOLITICS – BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME III
Profit and the Bio-Environment
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from the Fourth B.I.O Business Conference, Athens, October 1995
– The development of profitable technologies in the context of bios
Valery V. Grishin - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – BIO-CULTURE IN THE NEXT MILLENNIUM
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.) Proceedings from a Hellenic-Czech Symposium, Athens, April 1995
– Science, ecology and society interactions, risks and prospects
Rudolf Zahradnik
BIO NEWS
- Bio News 1
– pages 1-2, Atmospheric Pollution in Greater Athens - Bio News 3
– Page 1, 10, Plastic: The fuel of the future?
– Page 2, Human values, Modern Technology and Bio-Environmental Preservation, S. Budhisantaso
– pages 3-4, A Magnificent Opportunity in Resource Conservation
J. Patrick Nicholson
– page 8, Assessing Bio-Technology, Christos Yapijakis - Bio News 10
– pages 10-11
Sustainable Soil, Water and Air Quality
J. Patrick Nicholson
– page 11
Waste Management in Scandinavian Countries - Bio News 12
– pages 6, Solar Electricity, Harald N. Rostvik
– page 12, Waste and Air-Pollution Management in Switzerland - Bio News 16
– page 11
The Year 2000 Problem – The First Biopolitical Crisis of A New Era
John Petersen - Bio News 18
– page 13
Toxic waste – A Global Problem - Bio News 24
– pages 1, 8-9
Bio-Assessment of Technology
– pages 12-13
Managing Waste - Bio News 26
– pages 3
Euro-Arab Conference for the Environment
– page 5
European Roundtable on Cleaner Production
– pages 16
Technology - Bio News 28
– page 10
Achieving Sustainability in Industry and Technology
Nicholas Moussiopoulos
Wastewater Biotechnologies
J. Schaefer and George Kalos
– page 15
Technology and Quality of Life
John Mangos
A Greater Role for Technology
Richard Hines - Bio News 38
– Page 11, Bio-Assessment of Technology: Ethics and Guidelines for equitable trade and food security
– Page 16, Amazonica – The Future is now: Education and technology quarantee the survival of the jungle - Bio News 42
– Page 13, Hellenic-Turkish Cooperation in Biopolicy: International Cooperation in technology for the protection of bios, I. Tsoukalas, C. Zerefos, H. Evliya, M. Yilmaz
Events
2013
- Participation in the Forum on “Impact of Science and Technology on Society and the Economy,” organized by the World Academy of Art and Science, Trieste, Italy
2010
- as a main speaker in the opening session of the conference on “New Perspectives of Eco-Technology and Eco-Economy” hosted by Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul, Turkey Programme, Abstract, Honorary Plaque to B.I.O. President by the Rector of Yildiz Technical University
2006
- Implementation of 14 tutor-supported, e-learning courses in agriculture, architecture, diplomacy, economics, energy, ethics, health, history, legislation, technology, tourism, waste management, the EU’s common agricultural policy, and people with a disability in modern society; with participants from 67 countries
- Participation in the Fourth E-Government Forum on “Digital Greece: Setting technology in its right dimension – Moving towards a more service-centred & citizen-friendly state,” hosted by the Economist Conferences, Athens
2005
- The B.I.O. President is appointed Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science
- An e-learning course on Environmental Technology has been developed and is currently being offered online through the B.I.O. website
2004
- Participation in the Environmental Technology for a Modern Society Symposium, organised by the Norwegian Embassy and Innovation Norway, Athens
2003
- Keynote speech at the Heleco 03 Fourth International Exhibition and Conference on Environmental Technology, Athens BioNews No. 34 , April 2003 p. 3
- Closing lecture on bioethics and biotechnology at the 2nd International Conference on “Biotechnology: State of the Art and Prospects of Development,” Moscow, Russia.
2002
- Working group for bio-education within the framework of the European Union programme on “Prospects for Technology and Investigation”
- “Bio-Environment-Bio-Culture: Mobilising Technology and the Arts in Environmental Protection” Biopolitics lectures at the summer course organised at the Universidad del Pais Vasco, San Sebastian, Spain
- Founding Member of the Balkan Academy of Science, New Culture and Sustainable Development
2001
- Keynote presentation as Member of the Board of the Euro-Arab Co-operation Centre at the conference on “Environmental Technology, Technology Transfer” University of Rostock, Germany. BioNews no. 26, April 2001 p.3
- Keynote speech, plenary session, 7th European Roundtable on Cleaner Production, Lund, Sweden. BioNews no. 26, April 2001 p.5
- Keynote presentation as Member of the Scientific Committee at the 11th International Conference on “Environmental Protection is a Must.” Alexandria, Egypt. BioNews no. 26, April 2001, p. 5
1999
- The President joins the Board of Trustees of the National Foundation for Research and Development, Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Uganda
- Biopolitics at the HELECO ’99 environmental expo and conference. June 3-6, Thessaloniki, Greece. Programme
- The President participates as honoured international guest in the Zero Emissions Research Institute Conference in Colombia. Bionews no.20, October 1999,p. 9
1998
- Honorary Professor of St. Petersburg State Technological University for Plant Polymers and Member of the International Academy of Ecology and Human and Nature Safety Sciences.1996. Photos
- Keynote address at the First Biopolitics “White Land” Chapter Conference on Scientific and Technological Bases for a Global Energy System, St. Petersburg, Russia. Programme
1996
- Lecture, St. Petersburg State Technological University for Plant Polymers, Russia
- Lecture, D.I. Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology of Russia
- Lecture, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts
1995
- Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology 75-Year Anniversary Jubilee, Moscow, Russia
- Keynote address, Bio-Strategy Conference, Hellenic Biotechnology Society, Athens. Programme
- Participation in the HELECO Environmental Technology for the Mediterranean Area 2nd International Exhibition and Conference, Athens
- Keynote address at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Programme, Photos
- Keynote address, Euro-Chinese Centre for Research and Development Conference, Athens. Programme
1994
- Ten-day Seminar on Biopolitics, State Technological University of St. Petersburg, Russia. Photos
1993
- Proposal for the implementation of Cleaner Production, in co-operation with major Greek businesses, submitted to the European Union
1992
- Bio-Technology was discussed extensively at the Fifth B.I.O. International Conference, Istanbul, Turkey, in the presence of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, the Turkish Minister of Interior, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Environment, Governor of Istanbul, Mayor of Istanbul, Head of the Information Department of the President of Russia, President of Ankara University. BioNews no. 6, April 1996, p.10 Photos, Programme
- Series of lectures given at the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Centre for SocioEcological Research and Documentation and the Belgrade Faculty of Chemistry. B.I.O. is invited to participate in the International Project ECO Centre. I.U.B.E. branch to be established at Belgrade University, under the auspices of the President of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Programme
- Lecture at the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Member of the Scientific Council, Honorary President of the Association Members and Regional Co-ordinator for the Mediterranean for the international space research project Life in Space
- Lecture, Jaycee’s Conference on Satellite Communications. Joint B.I.O. project proposal
1991
- Lectures at Moscow State University, the Mendeleyev Institute of Chemical Technology and the Academy of Creative Endeavours, Russia
1990
- B.I.O. participation in the workshop on Renewable Energy and Cleaner Technology, Environmental Department, Storstrom AMT, Denmark
- Presentation at the conference on Biotechnology Applications in Plant Production, Comet – AGRO UETP and the Agricultural Bank of Greece
1988
- Bio-Technology was discussed extensively at the Second B.I.O. International Conference. “Bios in the Next Millennium,” Athens. Programme
- Opening lecture, High Technology Forum, Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce
1987
- Bio-Technology was extensively discussed at the First B.I.O. International Conference. “Biopolitics and International Co-operation,” with the participation of leading representatives from 30 nations. Resolutions promoting B.I.O. ideals world-wide were unanimously accepted by all participants, who also pledged to become founding members of B.I.O. BioNews no. 1