From theory to practice and from science to society: How to tackle the climate crisis
The second module of the CAS ETH in Climate Innovation 2025 covered a very varied programme with theoretical inputs, useful exercises, and then the opportunity to experience their application in practice.
We started the module with a workshop on leadership, led by Sara van Leeuwen, followed by an exploration of transdisciplinarity tools in search of how science can be made socially relevant, guided by Léon Späth. We then delved into the world of design thinking with Anja A. Niedworok to better understand what stakeholders’ real needs are. We are very thankful to all three for their interesting inputs and the exchange!
We were then able to see concrete examples of what a net-zero Switzerland may look like and how we can get there:
- Viola Becattini gave interesting insights into possible scenarios and strategies of decarbonizing Switzerland.
- Using the concrete example of photoacids, we were able to discuss with Anna De Vries what it is like to work on an emerging technology that could one day make it possible to extract larger quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- The most tangible experience was when, at the end of this journey from theory to practice, we were able to visit the development and pilot plants at UniSieve AG with Elia Schneider, where membranes are developed to extracted carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
