Headline:
Prof. Carlo Rubbia opens 40th anniversary conference of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Vienna
How can science make a difference in complex global problems that span national and academic boundaries? IASS Scientific Director Carlo Rubbia presented two approaches to the question on the opening day of the conference “Worlds Within Reach: From Science to Policy”, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Vienna from October 24th to October 26th. The conference brought together worldwide renowned scientists, experts and decision-makers to examine the many sustainability and development challenges and explore options for solving them. The conference featured opening addresses by H.E. Mr. Heinz Fischer, Federal President of the Republic of Austria, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General and H.E. Mr. Karlheinz Töchterle, Austrian Federal Minister for Research.
In the first high-level session, “Science Support for Global Transitions,” which addressed the place of science in global transitions, Prof. Rubbia spoke about the need for “a new contract between science and society”, in which science should take on a renewed role, in particular regarding the environment. The full video of this discussion can be found here. Guest speakers alongside Prof. Rubbia in this session included H. E. Mr. Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Minister of Research and Technology, Republic of Indonesia, Nina Fedoroff, Chair, AAAS Board of Directors; Distinguished Professor, Biosciences, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia; and Evan Pugh Professor, Penn State University, Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization, as well as his fellow Nobel Laureates Yuan-Tseh Lee (chemistry) President, International Council for Science, and Thomas Schelling (economics), Distinguished Professor, University of Maryland.
In his statement for the panel session “The Multiple Co-benefits of a Cleaner, More Equitable World - Energy and Climate Change,” Prof. Rubbia spoke about the breakthroughs and innovations that will be needed to limit global warming. He highlighted the costs and dangers inherent to Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), as well as to others technologies aimed at compensating CO2 emissions: "Modern societies need to find and develop new, economical and safe alternative ways for energy production based on valid scientific and technological innovation."
During his stay in Vienna, Prof. Rubbia also gave a keynote address at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, on the theme: “Can we maintain sustainability for the future of mankind?”.