Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences
Towards a plastics treaty
Our planet is drowning in plastics: more than 353 million tons of plastic waste were produced in 2019. Without drastic measures, 1,014 million tons annually will pollute waters and land by 2060, according to the OECD. To tackle this serious global environmental problem, the UN is seeking a treaty. An important meeting for this purpose takes place in April 2024. To inform these negotiations, European science academies make 10 recommendations.
The urgency of measures is emphasised by András Báldi, co-author of these recommendations: «Plastics do not rot, they only break down in smaller pieces and do not decompose. Meanwhile, the resulting micro- and nanoplastics have spread everywhere on the planet and are even found in our bodies.»
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
STEM 2026: Where Switzerland stands today
Twelve years on from the first STEM Youth Barometer, the new 2026 edition reveals that interest in STEM has remained largely stable, stereotypes persist, and women underestimate their own abilities. At the same time, the findings are more nuanced than expected and point to clear areas for improvement.
Swiss Academy of Sciences SCNAT
Beyond the transaction: commodity trade and sustainable development
This factsheet maps the sustainability links of commodity trade, identifies knowledge gaps, and outlines options for commodity hubs, including Switzerland, to reduce economic, environmental and social sustainability risks.
Swiss Young Academy SYA
Impact of AI on Early Career Researchers: Challenges, Opportunities and Responsibilities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming science and is therefore profoundly reshaping the work of Early Career Researchers. Against this backdrop, the publication Impact of AI on Early Career Researchers: Challenges, Opportunities, and Responsibilities, developed by members of the Swiss Young Academy, namely Emmanuel Senft, Sabrina H. Kessler, Pamela Delgado, Devi Bühler, and Alexandre Bovet, offers a timely interdisciplinary reflection on these changes. The booklet examines both the opportunities and risks of AI across five key areas – research, teaching, science communication, policymaking, and sustainability – while also addressing critical issues such as research integrity, data privacy, misinformation, governance, and environmental impact. It further highlights the responsibilities of Early Career Researchers and higher education institutions in promoting AI literacy, transparency, ethical standards, and responsible use of AI in science.