All blog posts
All blog posts of the ETH Zukunftsblog
How can we tax electric cars without slowing down the electromobility transition?
Sustainability
The federal government has plans to tax electric vehicles to secure funding for road infrastructure. However, a new levy could delay the switch to electromobility. Alessio Levis explains how this dilemma could be resolved.
Thinking climate action, biodiversity and energy supply together
Sustainability
Renewable energies are not the main driver of biodiversity loss. It is rather the other way round: renewables can limit climate change in order to preserve biodiversity. Cyril Brunner contextualises the trade-offs from a scientific perspective.
Digi, Nano, Bio, Neuro – or why we should care more about converging technologies
Digitalisation
Dirk Helbing expects future digital technologies to penetrate the human body even more in the future. However, he believes that society is not prepared for the risks involved. He puts forward a new legal framework to protect our most intimate data from misuse.
Artificial augmented creativity: A new era of art
Digitalisation
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way in which art is created and experienced. Are we at the beginning of a new artistic revolution? Or at the end of creativity as we know it? Adrian Christopher Notz puts things in perspective.
Let Bachelor’s degree holders work first!
- Social issues
- SCE
Have you done any further professional training in the last five years? If not, then one reason is probably the education system and its rigid qualifications, says Lukas Sigrist.
Pesticide-free as a new pathway for agriculture
Sustainability
We can transition to pesticide-free agriculture without converting to organic farming. Robert Finger outlines the advantages and challenges involved.
Recycling plastic is not a quick fix
Sustainability
Recycling is an accepted formula for sustainable resource use, but in the case of plastic it can have serious side effects, says Helene Wiesinger – and uses the example of plastic flooring in Switzerland to illustrate the dilemma.
For equitable access to urban green spaces
Sustainability
Vacant land, community gardens and public parks are key resources for liveable cities. Fritz Kleinschroth calls on urban planners to focus on giving nature more space and on granting equitable access to green spaces.
Switzerland needs to do a better job of exploiting its innovation potential
Social issues
Switzerland offers tremendous opportunities for technological and entrepreneurial innovation. Thomas Zurbuchen asks, “How can we generate the momentum needed to maintain an edge in the face of international competition – especially when times get tough?”
Maintaining the “Swiss way” of promoting innovation
Social issues
Hans Gersbach and Martin W?rter explain why Switzerland should not join the emerging international subsidy race. Sticking with the proven “Swiss way” is much more promising.