Options Magazine, Summer 2022: Anniversary edition

2022 marks half a century since IIASA was first founded to promote East-West scientific cooperation during the Cold War. In this special anniversary edition of Options, we invite you to join us on a journey through time to celebrate the institute’s exceptional achievements over the past 50 years.

Our cover feature highlights 50 great achievements in a timeline starting with the signing of the IIASA charter in 1972 and progressing through global policy impacts and contributions to Nobel winning research over the years. We take a closer look at the institute’s role in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), showing how participation and input by IIASA not only contributes to, but supports the scientific foundation of reports by the highly influential non-governmental body. As it forges the links of systems science, IIASA can help to connect the world in a network of science diplomacy. In this issue, we delve into the concept of science diplomacy and show how it can bring decision makers with clashing views into the same room to tackle common problems.

Magazine articles

19 June 2022

Celebrating 50 years of systems science

The institute’s 50th anniversary provides a perfect moment to take stock of its achievements as we look to the future. Join us on a journey through time as we highlight 50 major IIASA achievements of the past half century.
Anniversary

18 June 2022

Gaining popular support for green tax reform

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: In the effort to combat climate change, the notion of green tax reform has become increasingly common, but how do different carbon tax designs affect people at different income levels?
Green Tax Reform

17 June 2022

Local politics and global visions of Morocco’s renewable energy transition

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: IIASA researchers explored the possible impacts that Morocco's ambitious plans for a green energy transition could have on local communities.
Morocco Solar Plan.

16 June 2022

Using a new framework to help Jakarta protect against flooding

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: Many coastal cities around the world are at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels. Few cities, however, face challenges like Jakarta. IIASA research shows that open data sources and tools can help cities prepare and identify vulnerabilities.
Flooding in Indonesia

15 June 2022

Building more fire-resistant housing in California

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: California is known for sunny weather and beautiful landscapes. The dry, windy, and hot conditions that make California desirable, however, also make it vulnerable to wildfires.
Wildfires in California.

14 June 2022

Reflection: Looking back on 50 years of risk research at IIASA

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: JoAnne Linnerooth-Bayer, former director of the IIASA Risk and Resilience Program, reflects on a rewarding career.
Climate change

13 June 2022

People profile: From Everest to systems analysis

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: Before joining IIASA in 1980, Michael Thompson was a Himalayan mountaineer. Navigating risk in the mountains has influenced his research on risk theory, and environment and development in Nepal.
Himalaya

12 June 2022

Where are they now: Junguo Liu

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: We talk to IIASA alumnus, Junguo Liu, who is currently affiliated with the institute as a senior guest researcher.
Chinese water landscape

11 June 2022

Systems of understanding - building a network of science diplomacy

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: As it forges the links of systems science, IIASA can also help to connect the world in a network of science diplomacy.
Systems

10 June 2022

Advancing systems science across the globe

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: In the last decade, IIASA has helped to establish several systems analysis research centres worldwide, partnering with local researchers from East to West and North to South to advance the discipline.
Advancing systems science across the globe

09 June 2022

IIASA and the IPCC: Providing a solid foundation for the fight against climate change

Options Magazine, Summer 2022: We take a closer look at the institute’s role in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), highlighting how participation and input by IIASA not only contributes to, but supports the scientific foundation of reports by this highly influential organization.
IIASA & IPCC - a fruitful cooperation