Changing Society

Countries compete for many things: the FIFA World Cup trophy, access to markets and availability of minerals. And increasingly for people. Skilled workers turn out to be one of the most valuable resources for the energy transition. Preliminary research suggests that Asia and the Americas could have an edge on other regions in this race.

In April, the Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) at the University of Vienna once again demonstrated what sets it apart as an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research network: climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution are not merely studied here, but are consistently brought to the forefront in various social spheres.

Invasive alien species are among the most underestimated drivers of biodiversity loss. What happens when this complex challenge becomes a board game? Developed by biodiversity researcher Bernd Lenzner and colleagues, Raccoon Rampage turns research into a playable experience, showing how ecological change, political decisions and public perception interact, and why invasive alien species require attention before their impacts become irreversible.

How can humanity feed a growing global population without undermining the ecological systems that sustain life? The EAT-Lancet Report offers a scientifically grounded vision for healthy diets within planetary boundaries. Researchers from the Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) reflect on its relevance - from biodiversity and plant resilience to pollution, food systems, and human behaviour.

The EAT-Lancet report presents a bold vision for sustainable nutrition. However, changing people's eating habits requires more than that: In this interview, environmental psychologist Sabine Pahl explains how culture, identity, and habits influence food choices, and why insights from the social and behavioural sciences are essential to turn planetary health goals into real-world action.

Alexandra Brausmann, environmental economist at the University of Vienna, examines the EAT-Lancet Report through an economic lens, focusing on what it means for policy, prices, and incentives. She discusses how shifts in diets could reshape markets and inequalities - and why reflecting the true environmental and health costs of food in prices and policy decisions is essential for creating sustainable and politically viable food systems.