精东影业

A multi-year research program of the National Laboratory for Climate Change came to a close with a professional conference held on Wednesday in Building E. The closing event welcomed participants from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its aim was not only to present the findings of social science research on climate change in an accessible and engaging way, but also to foster genuine dialogue between experts and the wider public.

The backbone of the program consisted of interactive, moderated roundtable discussions. These workshop-style sessions allowed participants not merely to receive information, but to ask questions, respond, and develop a more nuanced understanding of the social dimensions of climate change. At the heart of the event was the recognition that environmental challenges are not solely matters of natural science, but equally of social science.

The conference was opened by Andr谩s Gelencs茅r, professional head of the National Laboratory for Climate Change, who spoke about the project鈥檚 national significance and the lessons learned over the past years.

Ferenc Andr谩s, leader of the social sciences subproject, provided a comprehensive overview of the program鈥檚 objectives, achievements, and societal impact. Throughout the day, discussions continued in four thematic blocks: linguistics and communication, education, social sciences, and media studies. Each section explored from a different perspective how climate change can be understood and addressed in various areas of everyday life.

A film produced in 2025 was also screened鈥攐ne of several created within the framework of the project. It has already been presented at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, helping bring the artistic and emotional dimensions of climate awareness closer to audiences. According to the organizers, incorporating cultural tools makes it easier for scientific messages to reach broader communities. The program even featured a slam poetry performance.

Reflecting on the event, Ferenc Andr谩s emphasized that the conference was not merely a formal conclusion to a project, but a condensed presentation of six years of research. The program began in 2020 and attracted significant media attention from the outset. 鈥淢uch like the butterfly effect in chaos theory, small initiatives can trigger major changes,鈥� he noted. He added that the Faculty of Humanities鈥� research group produced numerous studies, educational films, lectures, and teaching materials over the years, and the goal was to capture their essence in a single day. The focus was on informality and direct engagement: rather than a ceremonial closing, the organizers aimed to create a space for shared reflection.

Gelencs茅r also highlighted that the National Laboratory for Climate Change was established as a nationwide collaboration involving several universities and research institutes. One of its key messages is that natural science results alone are not enough. 鈥淲ithout social cooperation, understanding, and collective will, even the most accurate data remain ineffective,鈥� he said. At the same time, he cautioned that weakening international cooperation and political uncertainties give little reason for excessive optimism regarding a global process largely driven by the laws of nature鈥攁nd one that is difficult to reverse even with united efforts.

Although the project that has now concluded will not have a direct continuation, the researchers stressed that their joint work and inter-institutional cooperation will continue.