Science for sustainability: translating knowledge into action

Our progression toward sustainable development is confronting us with unprecedented challenges. The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), a center for transdisciplinary and transformative research and thought, believes these challenges are too complex to be resolved with strategies we already know. Read more
 

News

Expert Meeting „Soils in the Nexus“

Global population growth and the impacts of climate change lead to a serious overuse of natural resources and thus to far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people. … Read more

IASS Potsdam participates in German Sustainability Action Week

From June 15-21, 2013, the Council for Sustainable Development invites to the “German Sustainability Action Week” to make the nationwide commitment to sustainability publicly visible. … Read more

IASS Potsdam: "1000 Questions, One City"

What does a mobile phone consist of? Is it possible to forecast not only the weather but also the quality of air? CO2 – what does it have to do with my life? … Read more

Kick-Off of the DFG Priority Program Research to evaluate climate engineering: Risks, challenges, and opportunities?

Climate Engineering – the planetary-scale intentional intervention in the climate system to counter global climate change and its side effects – is gaining importance in scientific and public dis … Read more

Air Quality and Climate Change Policies – Separate or Joint Challenges?

On occasion of the Green Week 2013 on May 21, 2013, the IASS project ClimPol together with the Deutsche … Read more

Sustainable development and ancient culture: Delegation of the Kogi Indians visits IASS

The culture of the Kogi is one of the most original and traditional cultures of Columbia and throughout South America. … Read more
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Global Soil Week: Film "Let's Talk About Soil"

The film "Let's Talk About Soil" presented at the Global Soil Week 2012 is available on the website: http://globalsoilweek.org/

Transdisciplinary Panel on Energy Change (TPEC)

The Transdisciplinary Panel on Energy Change (TPEC, Plattform Energiewende) at the IASS gives scientific guidance to the German energy transition.

Research Clusters

Global Contract for Sustainability (GCS)

Director: Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer - GCS focuses on the societal and political transformations that must take place if we are to achieve greater sustainability. It pursues three priorities - Sustainability governance, Transformation processes, Cultural diversity and sustainable economic activity.

Earth, Energy and Environment (E³)

Director: Prof. Dr. Carlo Rubbia - E³ focuses on a secure, environmentally-friendly energy supply. It investigates the generation of affordable and available renewable energies, super-conducting electric lines for long-distance energy transport from production to consumption, and technologies for progressive decarbonization and closing the carbon cycle, while assuming CO₂ to be an asset and resource.

Sustainable Interactions with the Atmosphere (SIWA)

Director: PD Dr. Mark Lawrence - SIWA explores how to reduce human influences on the atmosphere, such as air pollution and global warming, and their consequences for human health, agriculture and ecosystems. Enquiry focuses on short-lived climate-warming pollutants and the implications and risks of climate engineering.