Davos Diary: Maurice on Ballooning

Thursday 18.00 Special highlight: Bertrand Piccard, scientist / adventurer - 1st non stop round the world balloonist


If you want to make a difference in sustainable development or renewable energy or risk reduction then good intentions alone won't do it. Naïve altruism won't do it. According to Bertrand we need to be realistic, accept human nature for what it is, radically improve our "marketing" and appeal to State / Organisational and individual self interest and profit!
He talked about having the "idea", developing the technology to make it fly and marketing it in a way that appeals to governments, organisations and individuals.


His current big idea is a solar powered aeroplane with a massive wing span with 250 solar panels. No fuel, no pollution and theoretically perpetual flight is possible. He has the "idea", he is finalising the development of the technology and then he will appeal to the self interest of governments to fund a pilot project.


Will this fly?????


Maurice McQuillan
Catholic Relief Services