To commemorate the Bicentennial of The Geological Society of London, the Society, with Principal Sponsor Shell, announced in February this year a Bicentennial Essay Competition open to all students in the UK and Eire.
The prizes on offer were as follows:
- First prize - £2000
- Second prize - £1000
- Third prize - £500
The essay title was:
"How will the geosciences contribute to achieving a sustainable energy supply in the 21st Century and beyond?"
This question sought to address a dilemma facing society in the 21st Century. Energy supply remains at the heart of sustained economic and industrial growth in the developed and developing world; but at the same time, society expects and requires that energy be provided in an environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner. The geoscientist has a pivotal role to play in finding and producing energy, and ultimately in disposing of the by-products of its use.
The maximum wordage allowed was 5000, and the closing date for entries was 31 July 2007.
The essay has now been judged. The judges were prize-winning author and distinguished palaeontologist Dr Richard Fortey FRS, President of The Geological Society of London; Dr Mike Naylor, Vice President Technical, Shell Exploration & Production; and science journalist Dr Ted Nield, Editor, Geoscientist and Chair, Association of British Science Writers.
The three finalists are:
The unedited essays can now be read on-line (follow the above links). The final result will be announced at the Bicentennial Dinner, in the Main Hall of the Natural History Museum, London, on 13 November 2007 - the precise 200th birthday of the Society.