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On Thursday, 19 December IIASA will be hosting a class from DonBosco high-school for a half-day workshop to explore systems thinking through the life cycle analysis of a chocolate bar. 

With 2024 on track to be declared the hottest on record, scientists from IIASA and Columbia University have noticed that specific regions are consistently more affected by extreme temperatures. A new study provides the first worldwide map of these regional climate danger zones.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), traditional approaches are not enough to meet the climate goals. In the search for new ways forward, science diplomacy could offer a powerful avenue for fostering the cooperation needed to develop effective solutions. IIASA 2024 Science Communication Intern, Moritz Boeswirth explored this topic.

COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, came to an end after a bitter fight. Wealthy nations pledged to triple support to reach 300 billion Dollars per year by 2035. Developing countries said they needed 1.3 trillion Dollars. IIASA researchers also estimate the needs to reach trillions, not billions. Hence, a disappointing outcome, overshadowed by geopolitical tensions, according to IIASA’s experts. 

IIASA Director General, Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, was among the distinguished guests at an event hosted by King Charles III to celebrate the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA). Amid the serious discussions around the the initiative's mission to champion a nature-first economy, the two old friends shared a lighter moment, promising to stay in touch.

Digital sector incumbents have established themselves in the artificial intelligence (AI) space through new forms of commercial partnerships. Now, antitrust authorities are raising concerns about such arrangements and the impact this will have on the future direction of AI. To discuss the latest developments, Elena Rovenskaya delivered a presentation on the adoption of systems analysis approaches to identify complex interactions between players in the digital economy.

EQU researchers will be participating in the upcoming INQUIMUS Workshop, hosted by Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy.

IIASA researcher Kai Kornhuber will be honored with the Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award in the Climate: Past, Present & Future Division for his achievements in advancing climate science.

There is a vast amount of knowledge about the climate crisis, its impacts as well as the growing number of mitigation and adaptation options. The challenge, however, is to get people to engage and absorb this knowledge, so that they can then act accordingly. Video games are one exciting way to talk about sustainability issues and involve people who may otherwise not be reachable by such topics. Games are also a great tool to depict the interconnections between Earth’s systems and demonstrate how changes in one system can alter another.

Biodiversity, the variety of plant and animal life in the world, forms the very foundation of our existence. Ecosystems, with their intricate webs of interdependence, provide us with invaluable services—from clean air and water to fertile soils and climate regulation.

Systems thinking entails asking fundamental questions: "Where does it come from?" and "Where is it going?" Using the journey of chocolate, from the sun-drenched cocoa plantations to the sweet bars that we all know and love, IIASA researchers guide young learners through the practical applications of systems thinking and life-cycle analysis in our everyday lives. The overarching objective is to encourage students to adopt a perspective focused on relationships and connections, rather than isolating individual components.

The 2024 Highly Cited Researchers™ list by Clarivate celebrates individuals whose research has had a profound and wide-reaching impact. IIASA is proud to have its Director General, Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, as well as 10 additional exceptional researchers associated with the Institute recognized for their contributions in various fields.

Systems thinking entails asking fundamental questions: "Where does it come from?" and "Where is it going?" The overarching objective is to encourage students to adopt a perspective focused on relationships and connections, rather than isolating individual components.

On October 22, the SHAW group within the POPJUS program at IIASA hosted a one-day workshop, bringing together 30-40 researchers from various programs to collaborate and advance research in the field of health and wellbeing.