2021
News list
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Sustainable and climate-resilient management of high-Andean ecosystems
GIUZ scientists won an international bid for a new project at the intersection of climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity in the Tropical Andes, opening important opportunities for a dialogue and action with policy makers and other stakeholders.
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"Almost like mission impossible"
Andreas Hueni, member of GIUZ and UZH Space Hub, talks about his daily routine when he headed a remote sensing flight campaign for NASA and ESA this summer.
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Rund um die Uhr auf Abruf
Die 24-Stunden-Betreuung ist ein elementarer Bestandteil des Schweizer Pflegesystems. Doch die Care-Migrant:innen seien völlig unzureichend geschützt, sagt Karin Schwiter in einem Artikel in der WOZ.
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«Enorme Anstrengungen nötig»
Im Ringen um eine gemeinsame Stossrichtung hat die internationale Staatengemeinschaft an der Klimakonferenz in Glasgow einige Erfolge erzielt. Dazu haben auch UZH-Forschende beigetragen, wie Christian Huggel und Axel Michaelowa in einem Gastbeitrag zeigen.
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Missed the inaugural lectures?
Two professors and a „Privatdozent" of the GIUZ gave exciting insights into their research and teaching at their inaugural lectures in recent weeks. For those who could not be there: Recordings are now available.
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The Miner and the Neon Fish: Decolonizing Alpine Ecologies
Their proposal for the redesign of a monument in the Swiss Alps received an award by the Swiss Academy of Social Sciences. Congrats to Stephan Hochleithner and Rony Emmenegger!
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Thinking locally to solve the climate change and biodiversity crises
World leaders were in Glasgow for COP26, but few expected revolutionary progress from the summit. What if the solutions are among us, our friends, and social connections?
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GIUZ Researchers at COP26
From 1-12 November 2021, the Glasgow Climate Change Conference takes place: A few GIUZ researchers will be there, others are involved in side events in Geneva or online.
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Running a world class database on glaciers
Glaciers are key indicators of ongoing climate change. The World Glacier Monitoring Service compiles and disseminates standardized data on glacier fluctuations. Recently, the Global Glacier Change Bulletin No. 4 was published.
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Sind die Alpengletscher noch zu retten?
Gletscher reagieren mit Verzögerung auf den Klimawandel. Doch bei manchen ist der maximale Wasserabfluss bereits erreicht, sagt Samuel Nussbauer in einer ARTE-Reportage vom Rhonegletscher.
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Glacier observation from space
Satellite data make it possible to observe the shrinking of glaciers worldwide in a comprehensive way. In an interview with the European Space Agency at Gorner Gletscher, Frank Paul talks about the effects in the Alps and worldwide - and about his personal connection to glaciers.
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Towards integrative water management policies in the Andes
Glacier retreat in the Andes has serious impacts on water availability for downstream populations. Water management policies must take social factors into account. PhD candidate Randy Muñoz Asmat combines hydrologic modelling with local community consultation.
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New Assistant Professorship in Labour Geography
On August 1, 2021, Karin Schwiter started her new position as Assistant Professor for Labour Geography. The new professorship is co-funded by the UZH Digital Society Initiative and allows us to position GIUZ in a promising research field at the intersection of labour geography and digitalization.
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GIUZ postcards: colourful, diverse and practical
As a practical souvenir from the anniversary year, we have printed postcards with 15 different pictures from GIUZ research and teaching.
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Zu gut, um wahr zu sein
Die State-Building-Missionen des Westens sind gut gemeint, aber sie scheitern regelmässig an ihrem moralisch überhöhten Anspruch, schreiben Benedikt Korf und Christine Schenk in einem Feuilleton-Artikel in der NZZ.
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Schleicher's Dream
Originating in Africa, homo sapiens spread across the globe, and with it the human language. A project is now underway to trace the genealogy of the world's languages with the help of highly advanced methods borrowed from big data, genetics and geostatistics.
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Scientifica 2021: "Synthetic naturally"
Scientifica will be held over the weekend of 4 and 5 September on the theme of “Synthetic naturally”. This year’s science festival offers a more comprehensive program than ever before - with several contributions by GIUZ researchers, and will now also include the Irchel campus.
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Wasserschloss mit Meeranschluss
Gleich vier Schweizer Flüsse führen ans Meer: der Rhein, die Rhone, der Ticino und der Inn. Die Alpen bilden einen Wasserturm im Zentrum Europas, sagt Daniel Viviroli, Hydrologe am GIUZ, und wirken damit wie ein Puffer. Doch das Gleichgewicht ist fragil geworden.
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Welche Verantwortung trägt die Schweiz?
Die Schweiz beruft sich immer wieder auf ihre humanitäre Tradition. Auch, wenn es um Geflüchtete geht. Was bedeutet das in Bezug auf die Situation der Geflüchteten im Mittelmeer? Eine Diskussion mit Simon Noori, Migrationsforscher am GIUZ und an der Universität Neuchâtel.
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Encapsulating the ecosystem for soil research
Soil is one of the largest carbon storages on earth - but can be a massive producer of greenhouse gases. Nicholas Ofiti examines this precarious balance in the face of climate change in his PhD thesis.
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"Embracing Diversity of Opinion"
What has the pandemic taught us about the relationship between the science community and policymakers? Political geographer Michael Hermann discussed with medical historian Flurin Condrau.
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Chamoli Disaster Could Happen Again
Some four months ago, a devastating flood ravaged the Chamoli district in the Indian Himalayas, killing over 200 people. The flood was caused by a massive landslide, which also involved a glacier. Researchers at GIUZ, the WSL and ETH Zurich have now analyzed the causes, scope and impact of the disaster as part of an international collaboration.
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«Das Anwendungspotential ist riesig»
Die Universität Zürich führt im Auftrag der amerikanischen und europäischen Weltraumbehörden Testflüge in ganz Europa durch. Ziel: Entwicklung eines neuen Sensorgeräts zur Fernerkundung.
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Science and Nature Festival auf dem Campus Irchel: 22. - 30. Mai 2021
Eine Entdeckungsreise am UZH Campus Irchel und in der Wildnis des Irchelparks: Mit verschiedenen Angeboten rund um die Naturwissenschaften und spannenden Beiträgen von Forschenden des GIUZ!
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The WGMS contributed to the European State of the Climate report
This week, the Copernicus Climate Change Service, on behalf of the European Commission, released the European State of the Climate 2020 report. The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) - located at the Department of Geography - contributed glacier data and analyses.
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Pandemics, biodiversity and climate
Why does it make sense to combine these topics to think about sustainability? Maria J. Santos, Professor of Earth System Science, at the expert discussion on "Shaping Resilient Societies Towards a Sustainable Future".
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Geografische Daten der Schweiz für alle verfügbar
Das Bundesamt für Landestopographie stellt seit 1. März alle amtlichen und digitalen Daten gratis zur Verfügung. Das sei ein Paukenschlag für die Wissenschaft und werde eine Welle der Innovationen auslösen, sagt Sara I. Fabrikant.
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Today is World Water Day
The United Nations World Water Day takes place on 22 March 2021 under the motto "Valuing water". In Zurich, a self-guided tour provides amazing water knowledge.
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Swiss water bodies in a changing climate
There will be no general shortage, but water may be scarce depending on the region and time of year – conversely, heavier rainfall will lead to more local flooding. These and many more are the findings of the Hydro-CH2018.
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Live-in-Betreuung in der Krise
Karin Schwiter untersucht die Migration von Betreuerinnen für ältere Menschen aus Ost- nach Westeuropa. Sie hofft, dass die Pandemie zu mehr Bewusstsein für deren prekäre Arbeitsbedingungen führt.
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Landscape services and basic landscape knowledge
A new website explains the understanding of „landscape services“ and lists recommendations and good practice examples – an outcome of a research project by the Space, Nature & Society unit with the University of Lausanne.
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Schutz vor Extremhochwasser an der Aare
Das Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU) hat neue Grundlagen für die Beurteilung der Gefährdung durch Hochwasser bei sehr seltenen Ereignissen veröffentlicht. Die Abteilung Hydrologie und Klima (H2K) hat das Arbeitspaket «Hydrometeorologische Szenarien» geleitet.
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Chamoli disaster in India
GIUZ researchers are involved in the efforts of the scientific community to collect data and information on the enormous rock-ice avalanche in Uttarakhand, Northern India, which unleashed a massive flood of water, ice, debris and rocks, destroying everything in its path.
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#WomenInScience
Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Exemplary for all female researchers at GIUZ and at the Faculty of Science, we posted some portraits and quotes on Twitter.
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How remote sensing can help protect biodiversity
Next week, leading researchers from a variety of fields will come together at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The virtual conference will also feature a talk by Michael Schaepman on how remote sensing can help protect biodiversity.
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Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
GIUZ member Graham McDowell was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Congratulations!