Representatives from science, business, civil society and politics joined the launch event of KONTEXT institute in Vienna - an independent organization engaging with climate challenges. IIASA Director General John Schellnhuber was one of the keynote speakers at the event. 

Schellnhuber spoke with inspiring words about how we can adequately address the greatest risks of our time. Although much is known about the climate crisis and its solutions, there is a growing cognitive dissonance in society that prevents people from acting with a long-term perspective. This gap between what is necessary and what seems feasible needs dialogue, education, transparency and an indication of possibilities.

His speech was followed by an introduction of the institute by the initiators Katharina Rogenhofer, Tina German, and Florian Maringer. In response to the major challenges, KONTEXT wants to offer climate policy classification, counteract disinformation, and thus also give decision makers tools to implement changes.

More information and photos of the event: https://kontext-institut.at/veranstaltungen/launch-event/ (in German)

News

Nature view with a volcano in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

18 April 2025

A vision for change: Lessons from Virunga National Park

At a time when climate anxiety and biodiversity loss dominate the global conversation, IIASA had the honor of hosting Emmanuel de Merode, Director of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for a lecture that was as sobering as it was inspiring.
Light shining through the canopy in a forest

08 April 2025

IIASA Director General supports ambitious Austrian tree-planting initiative

A new climate initiative launched in Vorarlberg, Austria, aims to plant 50 trees for every child born in the region. The initiative, which will run under the patronage of IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, was introduced on 3 April in Rankweil.
IIASA Director General photographed in the ORF studio during the interview

07 April 2025

IIASA Director General discusses climate action in new ORF podcast

IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber was featured in the latest episode of the ORF podcast “Neues bei Neustädter” titled, Wo ist eigentlich der Klimaschutz? (Where is climate protection, actually?).