Dr. José Goldemberg is a physicist by discipline. Between 1950 and 1982 he taught physics and carried out research in physics at the Universities of Saskatchewan (Canada), Illinois (U.S.), São Paulo (Brazil), Paris (France) and Toronto (Canada), and at Stanford University and Princeton University. From 1983 to 1986 he was President of the Energy Company of the State of São Paolo, and from 1986 to 1989 Rector of the University of São Paolo. During the years 1990-1992 Dr. Goldemberg served as Secretary of State of Science and Technology, as Minister of State of Education, and as Acting Secretary of State of Environment of the Federal Government of Brazil. Since 1995 he is Chairman of the Board of the International Energy Initiative. From 1997 to 2000 he was a member of the Advisory Board of the Alliance for Global Sustainability. From 1998-2000 he served as Chairman of the World Energy Assessment. Currently, Dr. Goldemberg is Secretary of State for the Environment of the State of São Paolo.