
Press releases
New publication
Living with synthetic materials in the “plastic age”
Since their invention in the 19th century, plastics have revolutionized almost all areas of daily life due to their versatile properties. However, in the “plastic age”, mass consumption poses...
ISOE Lecture with Karen O’Brien at the Goethe University Frankfurt
Quantum theory in sustainability research
The numerous global environmental crises of our time call for profound change. But how can we realize this change at the pace, scale and depth required? How can the necessary transformations be...
Biodiversity
DINA study shows loss of insect diversity in nature reserves due to surrounding farmland
Insect decline is also progressing in German nature reserves. One reason for this is the intensification of agriculture. In a study recently published in the journal “Biodiversity and Conservation”, a...
ISOE Policy Brief
Knowledge transfer is the key to sustainable land use in Namibia
The state of research on the complex and highly dynamic topics of sustainable development and nature conservation is subject to constant change and expansion from a diverse range of disciplines. A...
Water reuse in agriculture
HypoWave+ research project at IFAT 2022
The process of agricultural food production with recycled water, successfully developed in the HypoWave research project, is entering large-scale application for the first time. On a small scale, the...
Energy transition
Heat pumps as a contribution to energy independence and climate protection: how their implementation can succeed
In order to achieve its climate goals and move towards more energy independence, the German government is planning a 100-billion-euro support package. In that context, the CO2 reduction targets for...
UN World Water Day 2022
Groundwater – an invisible resource and (non-)visible problems
The United Nations has declared ‘Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible’ its theme for World Water Day on 22 March 2022. This is because policies and decision-makers have paid little attention to...
Study on risk perception
Risks from microplastics – public perception not in line with scientific studies
Microplastics and the possible risks for the environment are highly debated. However, whereas scientists still see many open questions and have yet to complete their risk assessment, the general...
Biodiversity research
The example of the Main metropolis: How cities can contribute to the preservation of insect diversity
While insect extinction is progressing in forests, fields and nature reserves, cities are increasingly providing suitable habitats for insects. Therefore, urban society is called upon to preserve...
Environmental awareness
Support for socio-ecological transformation
People in Germany expect politicians to do more for environmental protection and climate action. This might be due to the fact that awareness of the damaging influence of environmental pollution, for...

