30 years of knowledge for sustainable development

The continuing loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest global environmental problems. In the scientific and political debate about its causes, demographic change is repeatedly cited as the most important indirect driver. However, ISOE researchers have discovered that demographic processes such...

ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research celebrates its 30th anniversary in November. Founded in 1989 as an independent scientific institution in Frankfurt am Main, ISOE is today one of the leading institutes for sustainability research in Germany. With its conference on 28 November, ISOE...

Today, more than one billion people worldwide are using the Instagram online service, with around 15 million in Germany alone. As a mixture of microblog and audio-visual platform, the channel appeals above all to target groups who appreciate the visual strength of short news reports. With its launch...

Switzerland is regarded as exemplary in terms of “multi-optional traffic behaviour” and that means that many people already rely on an environmentally friendly transport mix. The flexible combination of all forms of transport such as cars, busses, trains, walking or riding a bicycle is important for...

The savannas in Namibia are among the driest regions on earth. As grazing land they are of great importance for livestock and game. However, changing climatic conditions and increasing intensity of land management endanger the unique savanna landscape. Since the beginning of the year, ISOE –...

For months now, young people have been striking for proper climate protection and a future without a climate in crisis under the motto #FridaysForFuture. On Friday, 20 September, when the Federal Government in Berlin is due to decide on the next steps in its climate policy, the youth will again take...

The PlastX research group detects thousands of chemicals in plastic products—three out of four products contain harmful substances. Plastic products are ubiquitous. Although considered indispensable in many areas of life thanks to their versality and practicality, are they really harmless? The...

It was foreseeable that vehicles that did not comply with climate targets or nitrogen oxide limits would one day no longer be saleable . Nevertheless, automobile manufacturers have been reluctant to develop sustainable vehicle concepts that are suitable for the transition. Their belated innovations,...

Almost a quarter of the world’s population lives in countries that face an extreme risk of drought. Among them, 17 countries are in a particularly criticalsituation. This is the conclusion presented in the water risk atlas this week by the US research centre World Resources Institute (WRI). Among...

Even if the technology has as yet only been tested in prototypes on test routes, autonomous driving will apparently be possible in the near future. How exactly do potential users envision such vehicles? And how high is the level of public acceptance? The Robocab study, performed by Fraunhofer IAO...