At this year’s ISAF 2025 (International Symposium on Applications of Ferroelectrics), held in Graz, Austria, Prof. Franz Faupel, founding and board member of the International Alliance of Societies for a Sustainable Future (SFS), delivered a compelling plenary lecture titled "Sustainability Crisis and our Responsibility as Scientific Community."

In his talk, Prof. Faupel described the climate and sustainability crisis as the greatest challenge to the survival of humanity, warning that planetary boundaries have already been breached and the first tipping points may be imminent. Increasingly frequent droughts, wildfires, floods, and storms have already become harsh daily realities.

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise exponentially. Prof. Faupel pointed to political, societal, and individual barriers that hinder effective action, stressing that technological progress alone is insufficient to address such a systemic crisis. What is needed, he argued, is a complete paradigm shift in the way we think, act, and organize our societies.

Highlighting the special responsibility of the scientific community, Prof. Faupel called on researchers to communicate the urgency of the crisis in a clear and honest manner - not only to political decision-makers but also to the broader public.

As part of this effort, he introduced the work of the SFS Alliance. In light of the fragility of current political structures, the alliance aims to mobilize the global scientific network - across disciplines, cultures, and borders - to raise awareness and propose concrete measures for socio-ecological transformation. It is intentionally inclusive, bringing together not only natural sciences and engineering but also the social sciences, humanities, and the arts.

Prof. Faupel’s lecture resonated strongly with the ISAF audience, reinforcing the idea that scientific gatherings - while often technology-focused - must not ignore the broader societal context and ethical responsibilities of research.

https://2025.ieee-isaf.org/