Ellen Williams, chief scientist of BP, addressed ISU students at the Great Hall on Monday about the issues of climate change, energy security and fossil fuel scarcity.

Williams suggested that to reduce and stabilize the global climate, better management of fossil fuels and further implementation of renewable energy is necessary.

In an effort to increase energy efficiency, BP has discovered a method of extracting oil that includes lowering the salt concentration in the ocean so more oil can be extracted from the oil reservoirs. Williams also discussed BP’s investment in biofuels, stressing the significance of a local production and a lower carbon footprint.

Williams concluded the lecture by stressing the issue of a growing population and its constraints on our natural resources in terms of water, land and energy production.

“Our hard work in figuring out new ways to generate energy and to deal with our environment is crucial in our ability to move forward successfully into the future,” Williams said.