Globe 22/01: (Un)known threats
How we deal with risks
Our lives have become safer in many respects. Yet certain areas pose new dangers – and we seem incapable of fully grasping some of the risks that we face. Read on to find out how ETH researchers measure risk and what solutions they are developing to keep it at bay.
A wooden dome made solely from waste
Report
Catherine De Wolf firmly believes that digitalisation can help shift the construction industry towards a more circular economy. The assistant professor and her research group recently completed a hands-on project to illustrate how this could work.
The social impact of disasters
Focus
Human geographer Christine Eriksen and physicist David Bresch conduct research into weather and climate risks. Their methods may be different, but they agree that the scale of a disaster is often determined more by societal decisions than by the natural hazard itself.
Underestimated risks
Focus
Climate change, pandemics and cyber attacks are risks that have long been in the public spotlight. But there are also risks that ETH researchers consider are still being given too little attention. Photographer Tina Sturzenegger has captured the scenarios on film.
Virtual world, real threats
Focus
Digitalisation offers a wealth of new opportunities – and criminals and hostile states are only too happy to exploit them. Protecting against such attacks requires a broad range of measures.
How safe is our money?
Focus
The war in Ukraine has fanned the flames of inflation. Is this merely a temporary shock – or the start of a new normal?
“Without risks, life would be unbearable.”
Focus
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has suddenly shifted the debate on security policy. An interview for Globe magazine with ETH researchers Myriam Dunn Cavelty, Vally Koubi und Giovanni Sansavini on the subject of security and risk conducted in January has been overtaken by events and will therefore not go to print. We want to nevertheless make it available to you online. A lot of the questions and answers would be different today. Read it for yourself.
A smart use of AI
Profile
ETH alumna Paulina Grnarova wants to use artificial intelligence to revolutionise the way the legal industry works. Her recent appearance on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list has catapulted her into the spotlight.
5 questions for the new rector
Personal
Günther Dissertori bases his teaching on the three Es: enthusiasm, empathy and expectation management.
“We won’t see a second Cold War”
Globe
Russia’s attack on Ukraine calls the security architecture in Europe into question. In an interview with Globe, ETH Professor Andreas Wenger explains the medium- and long-term consequences for international and Swiss security policy.
About Globe
Globe, the magazine of ETH Zurich and ETH Zurich Alumni, is issued jointly by ETH Zurich and the ETH Alumni Association.