Overconsumption - Problems and new approaches

As another follow up episode to our SDG series, we talked to researchers Lea Katharina Reiss (WU Vienna) and Giulia Andrighetto (University of Vienna) about SDG 5 - Gender Equality - in science and in the context of university. Currently they are working on a research project together on the subject of heteronormative and queer relations in the Global North. An interesting discussion about equality and feminist solidarity.  Hosted & edited by Lucia Mack

Can you imagine an astrophysicist teaching a class full of disadvantaged children in the 15th district in Vienna? A good life and quality educational for all - that's what SDG 4 demands and that's what Teach For Austria has been fighting for over the past ten years. In this episode we discussed the educational system in Austria and the gap between rich and poor with Toni Kronke, chief program officer and deputy CEO at Teach For Austria. As part of the Fellow Program, the NGO recruits top graduates from very different fields and sends them into the most difficult schools in Austria to provide these socioeconomically disadvantaged children with quality education. Learn more about the hurdles of educational equity in Austria, the impact a fellow can have and why we are all responsible for the education of the next generation! If you're interested in becoming a fellow yourself, check out their website (https://www.teachforaustria.at) and social media channels (@teachforaustria)! An interview with Toni Kronke, hosted and edited by Marlena Niedl

On the occasion of todays global climate strike, we discussed climate mitigation policies and the takeaways from our workshop with Climate Interactive. In January, oikos Vienna participated in a climate workshop in which we worked with the EN-Roads simulation model developed by Climate Interactive and MIT.  As part of a simulated UN climate emergency summit, we developed climate policy measures to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees by 2100, as outlined in the Paris climate agreement. Try it out for yourself: En-ROADS (climateinteractive.org) If you're interested in a climate workshop, check out Climate Interactive: https://old.climateinteractive.org/tools/delivering-online-events/ An Interview with Lucia Mack and Melina Matzawrakos, hosted by Marlena Niedl

Do you know all 17 SDGs? The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed by the UNO and unite economical, ecological and social dimensions. As part of the Agenda 2030, they shall ensure sustainable development until 2030 in all UN Member States. In this episode, we discuss the key aspects and current situation of different SDGs and tell you more about how you can contribute to the Agenda 2030. Lucia, Marlena, Melina and Swapnil each chose one SDG that is especially important to them and will tell you more about it. 

For a long time, marketeers told stories about products and consumerism to yield profits for international business. How can marketeers use their skills to tell stories that help us to solve the climate crisis? Jan Valendin is a research and teaching associate at the Institute for marketing and customer analysis at WU Vienna. Intrigued by the idea to make an impact in his immediate surroundings he decided to create the university course "Marketing for the climate" and the action group "CO2mustGO". Jan is convinced that marketeers can educate the public about climate change and so he creates impactful projects with his students - from a campaign for meatless mondays to an online jobboard for sustainable jobs.  An interview with Jan Valendin, PhD; Hosted and edited by Marlena Niedl

Just in time for the holiday season, we talked to Livia from Degrowth Vienna about overconsumption in Western societies. We show risks and problems, but also approaches for a social ecological transformation. And, of course, a few tips on how to make Christmas gift-giving more sustainable.  Hosted and edited by Lucia Mack

Can nudging make people behave more environmentally conscious without prohibitions or force? Clara wrote her bachelor thesis in the field of behavioral economics about the Vienna Kultur Token app as a nudge towards sustainable mobility behavior. In this episode we discussed human decision making, the effectiveness of nudging and its potential to help us conquer crises like the climate crisis or the covid-19 pandemic. Bonus: Some great tips for thesis writing and quantitative research! Hosted and edited by Marlena Niedl

In this episode of Thesis Talk, we discuss the crucial role of banks and other credit institutions in the push toward eco-favourable and socio-conscious investments. Ekaterina also expounds the basics of green investing and the current situation in Austria regarding such investments. And she leaves us with some interesting maxims about academic theses. Hosted by Swapnil Sagar, edited by Marlena Niedl.

How are women disproportionally affected by climate change? A look at African households let Marcus understand that climate change has already very clear effects on the bargaining power of women. The work they are typically in charge with becomes more and more expensive and difficult and, thereby, power asymmetries more present. But what Marcus learned goes far beyond African women, and has important implications for our lives. His research is an illuminating example of how looking at climate change through the lense of feminist and institutional economics can help us understand its effects and our role even better.  Hosted by Melina Matzawrakos, edited by Marlena Niedl

This episode of Thesis Talk was recorded in German. Pia tells us about her master thesis on "the impact of climate change on institutional investors' decisions in the Austrian region". She particularly emphasizes that climate change has now also arrived in the financial world. Even if sustainability in the investment sector is still in its starting blocks, it is a step in the right direction. Hosted by Lucia Mack, edited by Marlena Niedl