How Young Environmental Scientists Are Tackling Planetary Emergencies
August 28 - September 1, 2023
Landau in der Pfalz, Germany
In an era of overlapping global crises, a new generation of environmental scientists is rising to meet these challenges with innovation and collaboration.
The picturesque German town of Landau in der Pfalz became the epicenter of this scientific revolution as it hosted the 12th SETAC Young Environmental Scientists (YES) Meeting. This extraordinary conference brought together 107 emerging researchers from 37 countries across five continents, all united under the compelling theme of "Science Through Crises" 1 .
Represented at the conference
Early-career scientists gathering
Of intensive scientific exchange
The YES Meeting has a rich history spanning 14 years, with the first conference held in Landau in 2009. Organized by the Student Advisory Council (SAC) of SETAC Europe, this year's event marked a homecoming to its original location while maintaining its international character 1 .
The 2023 meeting's theme, "Science Through Crises," was deliberately chosen to reflect the complex interplay of environmental challenges facing our planet—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution 1 .
| Session Topic | Key Focus Areas | Innovative Aspects |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Ecotoxicology | Chemical impacts on water systems, toxicity testing | Novel assessment methods for "difficult test chemicals" |
| Terrestrial Ecotoxicology | Soil health, land-based pollution | Transfer of stress between ecosystems |
| One Health | Human-environment-health interconnections | First dedicated YES session on this approach |
| Environmental Analytical Chemistry | Detection methods, monitoring techniques | Advanced instrumentation and sensing technologies |
| Microplastics | Plastic pollution impacts, degradation processes | Tracking microplastic movement through ecosystems |
| Alternatives to Animal Testing | New testing methodologies | Computational approaches and in vitro methods |
| Environmental Modeling & Computational Ecotoxicology | Predictive models, data science applications | AI and machine learning for environmental protection 1 3 |
The opening keynote addressed the urgent concept of planetary boundaries—a framework identifying nine Earth systems that have safe operating spaces for humanity 1 .
Chemical pollution has already pushed Earth beyond its safe operating space, joining climate change and biodiversity loss as core planetary boundaries that have been breached.
A significant first for the YES Meeting was the dedicated session on One Health, an approach recognizing that human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are deeply interconnected 1 .
This perspective represents a paradigm shift in environmental science, moving away from siloed approaches toward integrated thinking.
Environmental crises are interconnected—chemical pollution exacerbates biodiversity loss, which weakens ecosystem resilience to climate change, creating a negative feedback loop that accelerates overall environmental degradation 1 .
The study examined how these tiny plastic particles affect aquatic organisms at different trophic levels, from algae to fish, and how they might facilitate the transport of other pollutants through ecosystems 3 5 .
Water and sediment samples were collected from various river systems with different pollution profiles 3 .
Using spectroscopic techniques, researchers identified and quantified microplastic particles in each sample 3 .
Aquatic organisms were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics in controlled laboratory settings 3 .
Researchers measured a range of biological responses, including mortality, growth rates, reproductive output, and behavioral changes 3 .
The team investigated how microplastics move through food chains by exposing prey species and then feeding them to predators 3 .
| Organism | Exposure Concentration | Observed Effects | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daphnia (Water flea) | 100 particles/L | Reduced feeding rates, decreased reproduction | Population-level impacts possible |
| Zebrafish | 1000 particles/L | Behavioral changes, inflammation markers | Ecosystem functioning alteration |
| Aquatic algae | 500 particles/L | Growth inhibition, chlorophyll reduction | Primary production disruption |
| Freshwater mussels | 800 particles/L | Filtering efficiency reduced, energy storage decreased | Water clarification service impairment 3 |
Dr. Elena Adams and Dr. Daniel Faber from Bayer Crop Science presented innovative approaches to reducing vertebrate testing in pesticide risk assessment 3 .
Creating tissue cultures and organ-on-a-chip technologies that can mimic biological responses without whole organisms 3 .
Using QSAR models to predict toxicity based on chemical properties 3 .
Developing automated systems to test thousands of compounds rapidly using cellular assays 3 .
Applying data from tested compounds to similar untested compounds to estimate toxicity 3 .
| Method | Accuracy | Time Required | Cost | Animal Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional vertebrate testing | 85-95% | 2-4 years | $1-2 million | High |
| In vitro systems | 75-85% | 3-6 months | $100,000-200,000 | None |
| Computational modeling | 70-80% | 1-4 weeks | $10,000-50,000 | None |
| High-throughput screening | 80-90% | 1-3 months | $50,000-150,000 | None 3 |
Modern environmental science relies on sophisticated tools and methods to detect, analyze, and mitigate pollution impacts 1 .
| Tool/Reagent | Function | Application Example | Innovation Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable isotopes | Tracing chemical pathways | Tracking pollutant movement through food webs | Reveals exposure routes and bioaccumulation |
| Cell culture assays | Toxicity screening without whole organisms | Testing chemical effects on human and animal cells | Reduces vertebrate testing needs |
| Environmental DNA (eDNA) | Detecting species presence from water samples | Monitoring biodiversity without physical capture | Non-invasive monitoring technique |
| CRISPR-based biosensors | Detecting specific pollutants | Identifying toxic algae blooms in water systems | Highly specific and sensitive detection |
| Machine learning algorithms | Predicting chemical toxicity | Screening thousands of compounds for hazardous properties | Accelerates risk assessment process 1 3 |
Revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring through non-invasive techniques
Accelerating chemical risk assessment through predictive algorithms
Reducing animal testing through advanced cell culture technologies
Dr. Leonie Müller's expert talk explored the complex intersection between scientific research and regulatory decision-making 5 .
Scientists need to understand policy processes to effectively contribute to environmental protection.
Jutta Paulus, Member of the European Parliament, provided an "unfiltered update" on European environmental legislation 5 .
Scientists have a crucial role to play in policy development by providing robust evidence.
Effective translation of scientific findings requires learning to communicate complex findings in accessible ways, engaging with policymakers throughout the research process, and building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect 5 .
The 12th SETAC YES Meeting demonstrated that despite the daunting environmental challenges we face, a new generation of brilliant, dedicated, and collaborative scientists is rising to meet them 1 .
International cooperation across 37 countries
Cutting-edge approaches to complex problems
From research findings to practical solutions
Environmental science is evolving from a discipline focused on identifying problems to one increasingly capable of delivering practical solutions. From alternative testing strategies that reduce animal use to advanced monitoring techniques that detect pollution before it causes widespread harm, the tools available to environmental scientists are more powerful and precise than ever before 1 3 .
As these young scientists return to their laboratories and field sites around the world, they carry with them not only new knowledge and skills but also the renewed motivation that comes from connecting with peers who share their commitment to shaping a better scientific future for environmental sciences in these challenging times 1 .