The lectures series „Lectures for Future“ (L4F) hosts a wide range of experts from all fields of research considering topics of climate crisis and sustainability in a very broad perspective. This series is part of the Austria-wide „Lectures for Future“ network and aim to a borad public audience. They are streamed live on our Youtube Channel.

Dates & Overview Lectures for Future

Location

The Lectures4Future take place in hybrid mode at the KHG, Mengerstraße 23, 4040 Linz, Österreich.

Online Format

The online discussion for the Lectures for Future will take place exclusively via Zoom (All the more we are happy about attendees). During the event from about 18:00 to 19:00 the Zoom room will be closed. For online participation, we therefore ask you to either log in before or to use the livestream (link below). Zoom discussion: https://jku.zoom.us/j/92365639541

Details for students

Besides informative character, the Lectures for Future are an official course at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. You find the details about the course in this PDF. You can register here or via E-Mail (). In case of any questions send me an E-Mail.

Topics

„BASEhabitat – Architecture for Change“ by Siegfried Atteneder | Monday, 07. March 2022, 18:00

Livestream: https://youtu.be/wSKvglfxqks

Sigi Atteneder is professor of sustainable architecture and spatial development at the Linz University of Art and heads the architecture department there. His design studio BASEhabitat focuses on planning and building with affordable, local and sustainable building materials and collaborations with local communities.

Sigi Atteneder studied architecture at the Linz University of Art and the University of Hong Kong. He worked, among others, for Shigeru Ban Architects in Tokyo and led a planning and construction project in one of Johannesburg’s townships in South Africa. He was invited to a Research Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2008. His dissertation at University College London (UCL) explored the interplay of open, relational spaces with the concept of „borderlands“ and their role in processes of urban change.

Abstract

On the one hand, the lecture introduces BASEhabitat as one of the studios of the architecture department of the Linz University of Art. On the other hand, it discusses the main aspects of the studio’s work on the basis of projects that have been created. The data show: the building stock and the construction sector contribute significantly to the climate catastrophe. In addition, there are social distortions that can just as often be traced back to spatial circumstances.

The cornerstones of BASEhabitat are therefore climate justice and social justice. Since 2004, BASEhabitat has been researching, planning and building in the field of sustainable architecture and spatial development. Sustainability means dealing with resources in a way that enables future generations to have a world worth living in and to be able to shape it. BASEhabitat understands the concept of sustainability comprehensively and tries to include its political, social and ecological dimensions in its projects.

On the social level, BASEhabitat seeks to create livable buildings and spaces primarily with and for disadvantaged people and communities. Cooperation is usually with NGOs or comparable initiatives. Local economic cycles are strengthened, local and affordable building materials are used, and local companies and workers are involved.

Since its foundation, numerous projects have been implemented, initially in the Global South, but now also in Europe and Austria. Some of these projects are presented and explained on the basis of the aspects discussed.

„How do we want to live?“ by Martin Hoffmann| Monday, 4. April 2022, 18:00

Livestream: https://youtu.be/Do9Wv5z277g

Dr. Martin Hoffmann is Secretary General of Club of Rome – Austrian Chapter, Lecturer at Johannes Kepler University Linz, and coordinator for the regional group in Upper Austria of Scientists for Future Austria. He studied physics and worked 10 years in the area of theoretical material design.

Abstract

The presentation will give a brief introduction to sustainability. Here, sustainability is understood in terms of long-term stable, sustainable living of our society – regional and international.

We are living and acting inside a well-defined system, on one planet. Today, we define 9 planetary boundaries – one of them the climate system. Those are understood as the absolute limits of the current stable ecosystem. On the other end, we define social standards and needs, which must be fulfilled – at best for all people.

Both limits – planetary and social ones – are significantly unbalanced at the moment. Several planetary boundaries are critically overreached while basic social needs for many people are not even in reach. Within these two limits, we must find long-term, stable solutions of living together – a sustainable life.

We will cover some of the problems here – like the energy system, agriculture, production, and mobility. In order to understand and know how to reduce our impact to the ecosystem, we need to measure it – for the individuals, companies, regions, countries, etc.

One measurement system is provided via the concept of footprints. There are usually 4 different footprints considered: carbon, water, ecological, and material footprint. Will you take the challenge and reduce your footprint? See what you can change and where the system must change.

„System Dynamics for Future?“ by Nathalie Spittler | Monday, 9. May 2022, 18:00

Dr.in Nathalie Spittler
(Centre for Global Change and Sustainability, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences – BOKU)

Abstract

The lecture will explore the System Dynamics method and how it might help us to understand complex current and potential future dynamics of our social, environmental, and economic system and especially the connections between them. The System Dynamics method was originally developed by Jay W. Forrester. It was used for the World3 model, which provided the basis for the famous Limits to Growth report by the Club of Rome in 1972.

The talk will touch upon the following questions relevant to understand (sustainable) systems‘ dynamics: Why do we need to understand feedback processes in our system? How are reinforcing and balancing dynamics created? Why do processes of accumulation matter? What is a delay? What does all of this have to do with exponential growth and non-linearity? What are low and deep leverage points?

These questions and their answers will be linked to different topics of sustainability. Through this the lecture will give insights into how we can comprehend many of today’s complex issues. Most importantly though it will discuss ways of exploring solutions for the future and capturing their systemic impacts.

„Climate neutrality in the energy intensive industry – a challenge to us all“ by Irmela Kofler | Monday, 16. May 2022, 18:00 (Vortrag in Deutsch)

Livestream: https://youtu.be/uYZde57PvE8

Dr. Irmela Kofler holds a PhD in process engineering from Graz University of Technology, was employed by VTU Engineering and Siemens VAI as a process technologist, and has been head of the research area „Low Carbon Energy Systems“ at K1-MET, the Competence Center for Metallurgy, since 2015.

Abstract

The European Green Deal 2019 with Europe as a CO2-neutral continent in 2050 and the Austrian targets of 100% renewable electricity generation in 2030 as well as climate neutrality in 2040 pose major challenges for the province of Upper Austria as the center of resource-intensive industry.

Cooperation of energy intensive industrial sectors, massive transformation initiatives and the development of innovative technologies in the field of carbon direct avoidance and carbon capture and utilisation will be required.

Green hydrogen and thus electricity generation with 100% renewable energy is a prerequisite but has massive surpluses in summer that are needed in winter. Sector coupling converts the surpluses into storable products such as hydrogen or hydrocarbons and is thus the factor for stabilizing the energy system.

Upper Austria has the best prerequisites for this with its industrial sectors of steel, cement and fertilizers, renewable energy generation and large-scale underground storage facilities for natural gas and renewable gases.

„Vom Klimasünder zum Klimaschützer (m/w/d) – ein weiter Weg?“ von Isolde Reichel | Montag, 30. Mai 2022, 18:00 (Vortrag in Deutsch)

Livestream: https://youtu.be/4ggPaoti2EE

Dr.in Isolde Reichel ist Sportwissenschafterin und in Ausbildung zur Psychotherapeutin. Sie beschäftigt sich seit ihrer Diplomarbeit mit Handlungsmotivationen (zu Bewegungsmangel und Sportverweigerung) und Persönlichkeitsentwicklung durch body awareness. Sie arbeitet zur Zeit zum Thema der Interozeption, die als Basis von Entscheidungen wesentlich Verhaltensveränderungen beeinflussen kann.

Verhaltensänderungen aus Sicht der Sportpsychologie und Psychotherapie verstehen

Einleitung

Psychotherapie widmet sich dem Verstehen der innerpsychischen Vorgänge und dem Aufdecken von Strukturen, Konflikten und Verhalten, das dem Patienten, der Patientin Leiden verursacht. Psychotherapiewissenschaft reflektiert diesen Prozess und stellt Theorien und Modelle zur Verfügung, die diesen unterstützen, begleiten und vor allem ermöglichen, sich auf einer theoretischen Ebene darüber auszutauschen. Auch die Sportpsychologie – besonders im Bereich des Gesundheitssports –  widmet sich der Veränderung von selbstschädigendem Verhalten hin zur Erhaltung von Gesundheit und Prävention von Krankheiten die zB. durch Bewegungsmangel entstehen.

Fragestellung

Es stellt sich die Frage, wie sich spezifische Modelle und Techniken dieser Disziplinen zur Handlungsmotivation und Entscheidungsprozessen anwenden lassen, um Verhaltensänderungen bei einem gesamtgesellschaftlich brisanten Thema wie dem Klimawandel zu evozieren.

Problemaufriss

Unser Lebensstil ist von der ständigen Verfügbarkeit großer Energiemengen abhängig. Fossile Quellen decken einen Großteil dieser Bedürftigkeit ab, stellen aber auch ein großes Problem dar. Die CO₂-Konzentration steigt und die damit einhergehende Klimaveränderung ist wohl schon unabwendbar. Technische Lösungen bieten eine Möglichkeit, die Menschen von einem anderen Lebensstil zu überzeugen die andere. Doch wie funktioniert die unreflektiert übernommene Einflussnahme von Marketingstrategien und der damit einhergehende Wunsch nach einem bequemen, schnellen, immer überall verfügbaren Lebensstil? Wie beeinflussen Informationen unser Selbstbild und unsere Handlungsmotivation? Wie können die Grundbedürfnisse der Menschen befriedigt werden bzw. welche Mechanismen sind wirksam um bestimmte Sehnsüchte wie zB. nach einem Eigenheim, Auto, Swimmingpool und Fernreisen als Grundbedürfnisse darzustellen, deren Nichterfüllung als schmerzhafter Verzicht wahrgenommen wird. Kurz, wie kann klimaschädigendes Verhalten vermieden werden?

Im Vortrag werden Modelle und Konzepte – vor allem der Transaktionsanalyse nach Eric Berne (1961) und Modelle der Handlungsmotivation vorgestellt, um die Frage zu klären, wie sich (dringend notwendige) gesamtgesellschaftliche Verhaltensänderungen vollbringen lassen. Dabei wird besonders die Interozeption, also die Wahrnehmung des inneren Zustands des Körpers als Basis von Entscheidungen in den Blick genommen. Es wird aber auch auf das Phänomen der Eco Anxiety dargestellt, dass die Angst vor Veränderung (ob Klimawandel, Migrationsbewegungen, Rohstoffknappheit, Kriege und gewaltsame Auseinandersetzung, Kontaminierung von Boden, Luft und Wasser) in den Fokus nimmt und einen positiven Umgang mit Krisen und Konflikten sucht.

„How does strong primary care support the sustainability of the Austrian health care system?“ von Erika Zelko | Montag, 13. Juni 2022, 18:00

Livestream: https://youtu.be/EPCAreaKVrE
Zoom discussion: https://jku.zoom.us/j/92365639541

Prof. Dr. Erika Zelko, PhD ist Leiterin des Instituts für Allgemeinmedizin an der JKU Linz.

https://www.jku.at/institut-fuer-allgemeinmedizin/

Abstract

Interventions in primary care offer great potential addressing global healthcare issues. By incorporating integrated approaches in the existing health care system, such as screening and early detection on a community level, disease management and healthy lifestyle promotion on primary care level deliver high quality outcomes. Additionally, the continuous monitoring of patient’s through family health care system are important elements to ensure success in the long term. Well-supported primary healthcare is globally seen as the key aspect for an efficient and effective patient-centered healthcare system. Evidence from countries with strong primary health care systems show that the modernization of national health care systems through strengthening primary care infrastructures results in healthier populations, fewer health-related disparities and lower overall expenditures for health care. With the upcoming demographical changes, the sustainability of the system will become a vital factor in how far challenges can be managed. Sustainability can be defined as the extent to which newly implemented treatments, services, practices, or innovations are maintained or institutionalized within a service system. However, it is also a major challenge for policy makers in healthcare to continuously sustain an effective complex intervention.

„Österreichs Weg nach Paris in 20 Jahren“ von Hans-Jürgen Baschinger | Montag, 20. Juni 2022, 18:00

Livestream:
Zoom discussion: https://jku.zoom.us/j/92365639541

DI Hans-Jürgen Baschinger ist seit 17 Jahren bei der Oberösterreichischen Umweltanwaltschaft. Seit 2020 ist er auch Lektor an der FH Wels.

Über den Referenten: PDF

Abstract

Das Pariser Klimaabkommen wurde im Dezember 2015 auf der UN-Klimakonferenz in Paris verabschiedet und hat die Ziele die globale Erderwärmung auf 1,5 °C zu begrenzen, die globalen Treibhausgasemmissionen zu verringern, die NDCs zur Emissionsreduktion umzusetzen und die Widerstands- und Anpassungsfähigkeit gegenüber Klimaänderungen zu erhöhen.

In dieser Lecture4Future werden die Themenbereiche Klimaschutz in Österreich, mit dem Schwerpunkt Österreichs Energieverbrauch und die Transformation hin zu den erneuerbaren Energien behandelt. Dabei werden auch die Positionspapiere der Oö. Umweltanwaltschaft zum Klima- und Energieplan für (Ober)österreich und die darin beschriebenen Vorschläge für die Transformation zu erneuerbaren Energien Thema sein.

Cooperation partners

The Catholic University Community (Katholische Hochschulgemeinde – KHG) is a place where peaceful and communal togetherness is lived. It is part of the Catholic Church, which it actively helps to shape and develop. It also stands for openness to the world, tolerance, respect for one another, sustainability and solidarity. Climate protection and climate policy discourses are parts of the responsibility for creation.