Climate Change
Switzerland’s path to the net-zero target
Politics
PSI Empa
Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050: Switzerland can only achieve this ambitious goal if science, business, politics and society all work together. The six institutions of the ETH Domain have pooled their expertise, with PSI as the Leading House, to form the Swiss Centre of Excellence on Net-Zero Emissions (SCENE), in order to support the country’s decarbonisation.
Glacial melt threatens habitats of alpine river organisms
Research
Eawag
When glaciers retreat, the habitats for cold-water organisms also change. Researchers have now modelled where refuges that are vital for biodiversity in glacial rivers will remain in the future.
What causes insects to disappear
Research
WSL
There are fewer and fewer insect species, individuals and biomass worldwide. Moreover, their composition is becoming more uniform. This is highlighted in a special issue of the journal Biology Letters. It outlines the causes and consequences of the global crash of insect populations and possible measures to counter it.
Centralized database helps scientists better understand coral reefs
Research
EPFL
Coral reefs are under a growing threat from climate change and human activity, making it more important than ever to understand their strengths and vulnerabilities. A team of EPFL scientists has now taken an important step in this direction with the new RECIFS open-access database on reef environments.
Delicate, diligent, transient
Research
Empa
Their task is to monitor the condition of ecosystems, for instance in the forest floor – and crumble to dust when their work is done: bio-gliders modeled on the Java cucumber, which sails its seeds dozens of meters through the air. Empa researchers have developed these sustainable flying sensors from potato starch and wood waste.
Why we are taking a stand on the Swiss Climate Protection Law
Politics
ETH Zurich
Political debate is vital for a functioning democracy. And when it comes to complex issues such as climate change, scientists should be able to share their expertise and help shape opinion, says Reto Knutti.
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