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Future gazing

02 September 2019
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Technologies provide new solutions to pressing issues in Europe and around the world. Image credit - George Hodan, licensed under CC0 Public Domain

The next decade sees Europe facing some urgent challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss and feeding a growing population, to name but a few. At the same time, technology is developing apace, presenting both opportunities for novel solutions and worries about how to ensure it’s used for good. In September, as plans for the EU’s next research funding programme start to crystallise, we take a look at some of the pressing issues facing Europe and how the next research agenda should be designed to best serve people and planet. We will also be covering the EU’s Research and Innovation Days event at the end of the month, where policymakers, academics, business people and civil society organisations will gather to finalise priorities for Horizon Europe, the EU’s €100 billion research programme which runs from 2021 to 2027.

The idea that wellbeing encompasses more than economic growth is widespread, but the problem is deciding what to measure. Image credit - Cherylholt/ Pixabay
science in society
19 September 2019

Prosperity is about more than money. But what else should count?

More than two decades ago, Professor Andrew Oswald worked at the London School of Economics, UK, when he organised what he says was the world’s first conference on the economics of happiness. He put up posters, invited speakers, and waited for the crowds to come.

Many of the risk factors to do with cancer are related to lifestyle, so there is concrete action people can take to avoid getting the disease. Image credit - Pixabay/ MabelAmber, licensed under pixabay license
health | policy
18 September 2019

Will we ever cure cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases that we may never be able to cure completely, but scientists are optimistic that vaccines, personalised medicine and smart lifestyle choices will help prevent and treat a much greater proportion of cases than currently happens.

Robots can already take over some repetitive tasks from human workers, now research focuses on more interaction between the two. Image credit - KUKA Roboter GmbH, Bachmann, the image is in the public domain
ict | policy
17 September 2019

Concerns linger over workplace robots, even as they deliver benefits

People harbour lingering fears about the impact of robots on their jobs and welfare, but machines in the workplace have produced benefits that researchers believe are likely to continue. But for that to happen, challenges such as earning workers’ trust and improving safety and human-robot interaction must be overcome.

Countries in Europe are committed to decarbonising, but experts say not nearly enough is being done and that we need real political action. Image credit - Peter Castleton/Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0)
energy | environment | policy
16 September 2019

Five things you need to know about: decarbonising Europe

Countries across Europe have, in the past few years, announced their intention to become carbon neutral in the coming decades. Some, like Norway, have targets for 2030, while others, like the UK and France, have goals that extend to 2050. Despite the differences, however, all have agreed to decarbonise, but just what will this entail, and how will it work?

Data centres that store and process algorithms use a lot of energy but there is little discussion about their environmental impact. Image credit - 123net/Wikimedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
ict | policy
12 September 2019

AI can help us fight climate change. But it has an energy problem, too

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology can help us fight climate change – but it also comes at a cost to the planet. To truly benefit from the technology’s climate solutions, we also need a better understanding of AI’s growing carbon footprint, say researchers.  

Climate change will heat land five times more than oceans, creating immense soil and water challenges for food production. Image credit: photosforyou/Pixabay, licensed under Pixabay licence
environment | policy
10 September 2019

Land use puts huge pressure on Earth’s resources. Here’s what needs to change

Deforestation, intensive agriculture and rising urbanisation are all putting intense pressure on the Earth’s natural resources and resilience to climate change. But how exactly does the way we use land need to change if we are to take care of the planet and provide enough food and resources to sustain a growing population?

Undocumented migrants are often exploited by unscrupulous employers as they avoid coming into contact with the authorities. Image credit: balticmedia
social sciences | policy
09 September 2019

‘They are already citizens’: What will it take to bring Europe’s undocumented out of the shadows?

Innovative ways of supporting undocumented migrants so that they can access vital health, social and emergency services are required so that European countries can properly assist these vulnerable people.

Monitoring local plants and animals provides much needed data for scientists to help stop the loss of biodiversity. Image credit - Martin Vorel/Libreshot
environment | policy
05 September 2019

Public action and ‘fundamental social change’ needed to reverse biodiversity decline

Getting the general public to monitor local plants and animals could help paint a clearer picture of the global biodiversity crisis, but fundamental social change is needed if we are to reverse the loss of nature critical to our survival, say biodiversity experts.

Radical changes are needed to overhaul our global food system, which accounts for 37% of total human-made emissions. Image credit - Lee Wag, licensed under CC0
environment | health | policy
03 September 2019

A climate-friendly diet means rethinking the entire food system - researchers

Shifting people to a new diet that is healthier for both the planet and for our bodies will require radical changes in the way food is grown, sold and eaten, including possibly adding a tax on meat and dairy products.