2nd Environmental Dialogue: How Particulate Matter Affects the Climate

Our climate is affected by severe air pollution with aerosol particles, commonly referred to as fine dust. This has already been clearly demonstrated by research. The suspended particles, which are often discussed as a danger to our health, can have both warming and cooling effects. Researchers are increasingly gaining a more in depth understanding of the climate relevance of natural aerosol particles, e.g. desert dust, and particles introduced into the atmosphere by humans, such as carbon black. How do aerosol particles influence our climate compared to greenhouse gases? Do we have to update existing climate models with the new knowledge from physics and do we have to adjust current thresholds for particulate matter? What are the benefits of biofuels as an alternative to traditional fuels regarding clean air and our climate?

Keynote: “Aerosol particles – small particles with a great effect”

• Bernadett Weinzierl, Professor of Aerosol and Cluster Physics at the University of Vienna and expert in the field of aircraft-borne aerosol and atmosphere research

Panel discussion

• Yuri Kazepov, Professor of Urban Sociology at the University of Vienna and head of the EU project SEFIRA addressing air pollution in the EU and its societal perception (2013-2016)
• Jürgen Schneider, expert on particulate matter and climate at the Environment Agency Austria, member of the management committee
• Ina Tegen, Professor for Modelling Atmospheric Processes at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig
• Bernadett Weinzierl, Professor of Aerosol and Cluster Physics at the University of Vienna and expert in the field of aircraft-borne aerosol and atmosphere research
• Moderator: Birgit Dalheimer, science editor Ö1 radio