ACCESS FOCUS AREAS
Good Health and Well-Being.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic showed us how important preparation is and that efforts are needed to fight emerging health-related issues. Focusing on health systems, improving sanitation and hygiene concepts as well as increasing access to physicians will support the eradication of many diseases. ACCESS wants to contribute to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
The research area of Good Health and Well-Being comprises health challenges addressed by research groups in Aging, Cancer and Antibiotic Resistance, and Diagnosis.
Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The world is becoming increasingly urbanized and by 2030, it is estimated that 60% of the world population will be living in cities. Cities are engines for economic growth, but also responsible for the majority of global carbon emissions and the usage of resources. Especially rapid urbanization results in inadequate planned infrastructure which in turn worsens environmental pollutions as well as the access of education and culture.
The research area of Sustainable Cities and Communities comprises societal challenges addressed by research groups focusing on Museums and Heritage, Urban Inequality, Culture, Arts, Languages, Politics for Sustainability, Contemporary migration, and Education for sustainability.
Climate Action.
Climate change is a real and undeniable threat to our entire civilization.The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now. Through education, innovation and adherence to our climate commitments, we can make the necessary changes to protect the planet. These changes also provide huge opportunities to modernize our infrastructure which will create new jobs and promote greater prosperity across the globe.
Life on Land.
Forests, known as the green lungs of the earth, play major roles in Sweden and Chile. Sweden is covered by nearly 70% of forest and forestry belongs to the most important economic branches. In Chile, the Valdivian forests belonging to temperate rainforests include several ecosystems which are important to preserve. ACCESS contributes to combating desertification, conserving of mountain ecosystems including mountain forests and freshwater ecosystems as well as protecting of biodiversity and natural habitats. Further, it seeks to integrate ecosystems and biodiversity in national and local planning.
The research area of Life on Land comprises challenges of natural resources addressed by research groups in Sustainable food production systems, Biodiversity and Forestry, Sustainable Mining and Renewable Energy.
Life Below Water.
The ocean drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea.
Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future. However, at the current time, there is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters owing to pollution, and ocean acidification is having an adversarial effect on the functioning of ecosystems and biodiversity. This is also negatively impacting small scale fisheries.
Saving our ocean must remain a priority. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Marine protected areas need to be effectively managed and well-resourced and regulations need to be put in place to reduce overfishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification.