Our Stories

Climate change in the Alps: a topic that concerns people in Austria. On October 8, over 200 guests attended the 12th edition of the discussion forum “Umwelt im Gespräch” (Environmental Dialogue) in the dome hall of the Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM) to learn about and discuss the consequences of climate change in the Alps.

Science has provided more than enough evidence to develop a collective and global approach to tackle the proliferation of plastic pollution. This is the conclusion of an international research team including environmental psychologist Sabine Pahl from the University of Vienna. The current Science publication particularly emphasises the urgency of a global agreement to curb plastic pollution.

On 26th July, Dr. Homer J. Yabut, Director of the Social Development Research Center at De La Salle University, Philippines, met with ECH Co-Director Prof. Sabine Pahl and Research Facilitation Coordinator Dr. Gemma Carr. The exchange focused on strategies to support collaborative research and build successful partnerships, and explored how research centres like the ECH promote excellence, impact, and international collaboration to address key challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Climate change and urban heat stress” was the topic of the 11th “Environmental Dialogue” on May 28 at the NHM Vienna. Experts from the fields of environmental medicine, psychology, law, and politics discussed measures for cities such as Vienna with the audience. Mathew White gave the keynote speech, and welcoming remarks were provided by NHM Director General Katrin Vohland, ECH Co-Director Thilo Hofmann, and the Rector of the University of Vienna, Sebastian Schütze. Over 200 guests attended.

About 200 guests attended the inauguration and launch event of the Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) on 8 March in the Great Hall of the University of Vienna.

On International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2024, the ECH awarded its first Environment and Climate Award in two categories. Taking place during the celebration of the Hub’s kick-off event, two outstanding young scientists from the University of Vienna, Tatiana Konrad and Lucia Fuchslueger, were honored with the “ECH Research Award”. Katharina Rogenhofer, alumna of the University and committed advocate of evidence-based climate policy, received the Society Award for Environment and Climate.