15 April 2016

For the media: New IIASA research at EGU

IIASA researchers are presenting new research on deforestation, water resources, climate change impacts, crowdsourcing, and more at the European Geophysical Union meeting in Vienna. 

© K. Leitzell | IIASA

© K. Leitzell | IIASA

IIASA researchers are presenting new research on deforestation, water resources, climate change impacts, crowdsourcing, and more at the European Geophysical Union meeting in Vienna this week. Below find some highlights of interest to journalists. For a full list of IIASA presentations see our IIASA at EGU webpage. For more information or interviews, please feel free to contact the researchers or Katherine Leitzell, IIASA Press Officer ()

Monday 18 April
Asia’s water future
Asia is rapidly changing, and in a world of increasing climate impacts, one major question is how imbalances between water supply and demand due to socioeconomic and climate change will develop on the continent in the next decades. In a new study, conducted at IIASA as part of the Water Futures and Solutions initiative, describes three new water scenarios based on the new climate research framework of Representative Concentration Pathways and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. The study shows that in particular, Afghanastian, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan could be particularly affected by water scarcity, while at the same time having little ability to adapt to water stress. The study also provides an index of water scenarios that is intended to serve as a tool for policymakers.

Monday 18 April
, 09:45-10:00 / Room C
Session: HS5.6 - Water Resources Management and Policy in a Changing World.
Abstract: EGU2016-16888
Contact: Yusuke Satoh ()


Tuesday 19 April
Dissecting disaster
When a landslide, flood, or other natural disaster strikes, it can damage property, injure or kill people, and lead to widespread economic damage. In the aftermath it is often unclear what factors led to the worst damage, and what actions might help prevent or mitigate future disasters. But like a crime scene, disasters leave many clues in their wake, and the culprit(s) behind the damage may not be the obvious suspects. In this talk, IIASA researcher Adriana Keating introduces a new, freely available, methodology in the field of disaster forensics, which aims to help practitioners systematically and holistically assess disaster events. The tool also allows others to contribute their experience so as to build a repository of knowledge for disaster risk management.

Tuesday 19 April
, 08:30-08:45 / Room N2
Session: NH9.1: Natural hazard event analyses for risk reduction and adaptation.
Abstract: EGU2016-2208
Contact: Adriana Keating ()


Thursday 21 April
Biomass, climate, and sustainability
The outcomes of the COP 21 negotiations in Paris have undoubtedly raised the importance of renewable sources of energy and industrial raw materials. Biomass is seen as a very promising alternative, with distinct differences to other renewables, such as solar and wind power. It can be easily stored and the material itself may be used for several purposes, not only for energy. However, as biomass production requires land use while land use change is the consequence of increased production, it has consequences on greenhouse gas emissions. This public event includes a number of short presentations including IIASA researcher Sylvain Leduc, who will discuss the results of a recent project examining the impacts and trade-offs of bioenergy production in the Alps. The study shows how forests can be managed in a sustainable way to support both bioenergy production as well as ecosystems and natural areas for recreation.

Thursday 21 April, 12:15–13:15 / Room 2.96
Public Event:  Biomass for energy, industrial raw materials and GHG mitigation: How to ensure sustainability?
Contact: Florian Kraxner ()
Related Poster: An optimal renewable energy mix for Indonesia


Thursday 21 April
Crowdsourcing to support disaster risk reduction
After disasters many people turn to social media and other mobile technology to exchange information and collect data. But could the same technology be used to gather information ahead of time, to assess disaster vulnerability and help build resilience that could help prevent death and damage?  IIASA researcher Linda See, an expert in crowdsourcing, will provide a broad look at the recent growth of crowdsourcing for disaster risk reduction. She will also highlight new projects which aim to harness crowdsourcing and mobile technologies for measuring and monitoring flood hazard, vulnerability, and exposure.  Don’t miss the related posters from the IIASA Citizen Science Center. 

Thursday 21 April, 14:15-14:30 / Room 2.20
Session: HS3.1: Hydroinformatics: computational intelligence, uncertainty, systems analysis, optimization, data science, and data-driven modelling of social-hydrologic systems
Abstract: EGU2016-11261
Contact: Linda See ()


Print this page

Last edited: 19 April 2016

EVENTS

IIASA at EGU 2016

17 Apr 2016 - 22 Apr 2016

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313