RIFS Blog

PULSE Ostrava Festival’s 2025 theme, RESTART, couldn’t have been more fitting. As cities deal with climate change, housing crises, and social inequality, the conference asked: How can architecture and design not just adapt but lead the transformation? As an urban planner by background, environmental psychology researcher and social entrepreneur, I was struck by how many of the challenges that architects face mirror those in the business world—especially when profit and purpose collide.

Since its beginnings in 2013, the Transformations Conference has developed into a growing international community that is focussed on the question of how deep, systemic change can help address today’s interwoven social and ecological crises. Taking place every two years, the 2025 edition unfolded in two parts: the first under the title “Organising for Transformation” at the University of York in late June, and the second to follow in August at Kruger National Park in South Africa, focusing on “Transformations Towards Justice and Equity.”

Germany’s Climate Protection Act established the legally binding goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. In other words, any greenhouse gas emissions must be balanced by removing the same amount from the atmosphere. Since it remains highly uncertain how effectively CO₂ can be removed at scale, there is no alternative to drastically reducing emissions. One sector that is drawing increasing attention in this context is the heating sector.

In light of the impacts of climate change and evolving socio-economic dynamics in urban areas, there is an urgent need to rethink the design of public spaces—prioritizing more greenery, greater space for active mobility, and enhanced opportunities for social interaction. However, local authorities often face challenges in implementing these changes quickly and flexibly. In a new study by the Franco-German Forum for the Future, we examine the potential of experimental approaches in transforming public spaces.

RIFS researchers and fellows Cecilia Oliveira, Mariana Lacerda, and Igor Karim report on their nine-day, 270-kilometre journey on the Arapiuns River, where they are filming a documentary for the Amazon of Rights project together with youth leaders from the region. The film explores river rights and youth activism, highlighting how eco-centric values shape and reflect the legal and social practices of Amazonian communities and Indigenous peoples.

The Office for Climate Protection and Sustainability in the district of Steinfurt aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. Local authorities recognised early that they could not reach this goal alone, as their own activities account for only a fraction of total emissions. Local businesses and communities would need to be involved. To support this, the district has established a range of consulting and education services, along with other initiatives. In 2015, the district joined forces with municipalities and local businesses to establish Energieland Association (Energieland e.V.). This multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP) is based directly in the Office for Climate Protection and employs around ten of the bureau’s over 20 staff members.

Attending the ChangeNOW conference in Paris this past April was both energizing and thought-provoking. With a buzz of changemakers in the air, it truly felt like the beating heart of the sustainability movement had gathered in Grand Palais. The conference delivered on its promise to spotlight bold ideas and connect mission-driven entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and activists across sectors, but also raised additional points of reflection that I will address in this blogpost.

In the race to limit global warming to 1.5°C, one crucial element has been largely under-addressed: our lifestyles. While renewable energy, electric vehicles and green technologies dominate the climate policy headlines, the fundamental way we live – what we eat, how we travel, the size of our homes, the frequency of our air travel – plays a key role in determining our collective carbon footprint.

One striking feature of today’s far-right politics is its fixation on masculinity – and Brazil’s Bolsonaro is no exception. The term Amazon-masculinity helps us reflect on the relationship between man and nature — and how that relationship is shaped by “positive” notions of masculinity: strength, domination, aggressiveness, intelligence, authority, credibility, civility, virility and vigour. Recounting the history of Amazonian colonization in the 20th century helps us to shed light on the destructive dynamic between man and nature, and on the domination exerted by a possessive form of masculinity.

Why do we drive or fly to scientific conferences? Was your last conference really worth the trip? What made the journey worthwhile for you? An unexpected encounter, a new collaboration, an inspiring conversation?

2024 is on track to become the warmest year on record and the first full year to breach the 1.5°C limit, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Services This news has caused alarm globally. Media and press have started to talk of the failure failure and the implausibility of achieving this monumental target. At the same time the UNFCCC’ COPs (Conferences of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change) have cleaved to the slogan of ‘Keep 1.5°C alive!’.