News | IIASA

Abstract image of the Earth with covid virus

06 October 2021

Where we went wrong in tracking COVID-19 and how to fix it

The COVID-19 pandemic has made painfully clear that our global infectious disease monitoring system is not up to the task. Report after report points to missed opportunities for detecting and acting on the outbreak’s early signs and the devastating resulting loss of life.

Wooden figures around green glass globe on grey background

04 October 2021

Global partnership to support citizen science for the SDGs

The Global Citizen Science Partnership is a network-of-networks that aims to advance the use of citizen science to support the monitoring and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Abstract image: hand holding Earth against sunset with network concept superimposed

30 September 2021

Unleashing science: delivering missions for sustainability

A major qualitative and quantitative step-change is needed in science to support critical societal transformations towards a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future. IIASA Director General Albert van Jaarsveld contributed to a new report published by the International Science Council (ISC), advocating for a concerted effort by the global science community to step up to the challenge.

Chinese children in classroom engaging in lesson

28 September 2021

Future prosperity in China is unlikely to be hindered by population aging

New research on China suggests that declining birth rates and an aging population might not hinder future prosperity when associated with better education of the young.

27 September 2021

The kids are not alright

Children are to face disproportionate increases in lifetime extreme event exposure – especially in low-income countries, according to new research by an international group of scientists.

Beautiful view of historic part of Budapest and the Danube River at night

26 September 2021

IIASA contributes to the Budapest Eurasia Forum 2021: Shaping the future of Eurasia

The COVID-19 pandemic is already proving transformational to the global world order. As societies recover from the tragic losses, there is apprehension about the ongoing economic reconfigurations that will continue to shape our lives for a long time. Amidst these changes, what prospects lie ahead for Eurasia and its people, and how can this region collaborate towards a more resilient and more sustainable future?

Airial photo of water reservoirs in Brazil

21 September 2021

To solve Brazil’s energy and food crisis: store more water

Storing greater amounts of water in Brazil’s reservoirs could increase precipitation and river flow, alleviating the water and energy supply crisis in Brazil.

Tractor spreading fertilizer on field before planting

13 September 2021

Balancing food security and nitrogen use

Environmental targets to limit excess nitrogen require the large-scale deployment of dedicated nitrogen mitigation strategies to avoid a strong increase in the risk of food insecurity. Without these measures, the amount of dietary energy available to people would be greatly reduced, which would in turn lead to high food prices and an increase in the number of undernourished people.

Man standing on cracked soil of a dried up lake

06 September 2021

Putting a price on climate change

The social cost of carbon dioxide is one of the most influential indicators of climate change as it allows us to estimate the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to humanity. A new study looks back on how ten years of scientific advancements have influenced such estimates, and explores how to resolve some of the most important outstanding gaps in existing models.

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