Listening to the latest scientific findings with a drink in your hand? Chatting with researchers at the bar about their current projects? In short: going out in the evening and learning something at the same time? All this is possible at “Wissen vom Fass”!

On 12 June, Hamburg scientists left their computers and laboratories and swarmed out into the pubs and bars of the Hanseatic city. Johanna Baehr (OceanWeather project) and Lukas Fiedler participated with an insightful presentation on the physics and impacts of the Gulf Stream (German title of the talk: “Geht dem Golfstrom die Puste aus?”).

The Gulf Stream ensures a comparatively mild climate in northern Europe and is regarded as its heat pump. Speculations emerge at irregular intervals that are not without drama: Could the Gulf Stream soon break off? And would we then be facing an ice age? These and other questions were addressed on the basis of the current state of scientific knowledge. The current state of the North Atlantic was also clarified, as well as the effects of climate change already taking place, and what can be said about the possible development of the climate in Europe.

Johanna Baehr (left) and colleagues from the university of Hamburg on stage. Photo: Jessica Tiedke (UHH)

The Pony Bar was filled with an interested audience. Photo: Jessica Tiedke (UHH)

The program of the event is available here (in German).