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Published on August 9, 2007

World climate change, which may cause a Great Flood, is in focus at the National Science and Technology Week 2007, which is being held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (Bitec) from August 8 to 19. HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will visit the fair tomorrow.

Organised by the Science and Technology Ministry, the exhibition, which opened yesterday, highlights world climate change caused by human activities.

Science Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong said global warming was the result of the overuse of energy sources causing the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) ino the atmosphere.

The exhibition will attempt to show visitors how their daily activities lead to global warming.

"People can discover how global warming and climate change will affect them and the world as a whole in the near future. They can also learn about solutions to help tackle the problem," Yongyuth said.

In the Global Warming zone, visitors can review the world's climate over the last 30 years through a simulated model that shows differences in temperatures, demonstrating that the world is heating up every year. The potential for disaster is demonstrated in a four-dimensional simulation.

Video presentations on a 180-degree screen show the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and massive floods. Adventure lovers can explore rainforests at the Bio Jungle Adventure Zone presented by the National Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotec).

Here, visitors can take a simulated journey through the Hala-Bala forest, the most complex and diverse rainforest in Thailand, which is located in Narathiwat and Yala provinces.

Children can observe life in the forest through a game that utilises the global positioning system (GPS). In other zones, visitors can make a wide range of discoveries under the banner of "From the Stars to Micro-organisms." Eight exhibition zones display advancements in science and technology from Thailand and six other countries.

Robots are a highlight of the exhibition. Humanoid robots, a robotic wheelchair and seal-like therapy robots are displayed to show people how this technology will eventually be used in daily life. The exhibition also includes 10 science laboratories to allow children to enjoy first-hand experience of various scientific experiments.

The exhibit is open from 9am to 8pm and is expected to draw 1.2 million visitors during its 12-day run.

Pongpen Sutharoj,

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation