News magazine "Time" names Matthias Ratheiser as one of the most internationally influential pioneers in the field of climate change adaptation.
Vienna/New York City – The American news magazine "Time" is one of the most prestigious publications in the world. Since 2023, the editorial team has been publishing the "Time 100 Climate List" – a list of entrepreneurs, scientists and decision-makers who have made an outstanding contribution to tackling the climate crisis.
The recently published list for 2024 includes an Austrian in the top 100 for the first time: meteorologist Matthias Ratheiser (b. 1974), co-founder and managing director of the Vienna-based company Weatherpark, can celebrate the accolade alongside Prince Harry, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Bill Gates and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, thanks to his expertise in urban climate and climate change adaptation.
"In my view, the Paris climate target of 1.5 degrees has failed globally because too many major players are no longer on board. This is bringing adaptation to the impacts increasingly into focus," explains Ratheiser's motivation. "By now, we're seeing rainfall levels in Central Europe that were previously considered physically impossible – yet here they are. That's why we now need to adapt to the impacts of these extreme events. That's what drives me."
High-rises, wind and heat stress
The recognition was largely driven by research carried out by Ratheiser and his team for the city of Frankfurt am Main. The city is getting new high-rise locations, and Weatherpark examined the urban climate implications. The focus was on wind conditions and the shadow cast by the new high-rise sites. Against the backdrop of climate change, the city was keen to preserve the fresh and cold air systems that are so valuable to its residents. To this end, Weatherpark carried out computer simulations of wind and shadow conditions across a large area of the city. Purpose-built profile sheets for the new high-rise locations include recommendations for improving ventilation and wind comfort. These findings make a significant contribution to adapting major cities to the consequences of the climate crisis.
"The concentrated meteorological expertise is what makes us truly unique as a company," says the Vienna-born entrepreneur. "Based on our research, we don't just provide strategic recommendations for climate change adaptation for entire cities – we also offer practical guidance right down to the best location for a new tree." Recommendations of this kind are already being put to use in the Seestadt Aspern development in Vienna, where the aim was to reduce heat stress and individual heat perception through
a well-considered mix of measures.
The full "Time 100 Climate List" is available here: https://time.com/collection/time100-climate-2024/
