Have you ever wondered how migrating birds can fly thousands of kilometers without touching land or how rainwater is unable to penetrate the lotus leaves?

Basic research is a type of scientific research to improve theories for a better understanding of natural phenomena and is driven by curiosity. Yet, it is not always clear to people how the basic sciences have paved the way to the discoveries and technological revolutions continuously reshaping the world in which we live.
When you pick up your smartphone, spare a thought for all those scientists who toiled in public laboratories for almost 50 years to come up with the first miniaturized electronic circuits. Or PCR, which has been used countless times over the past years to test individuals for Covid-19 infection, was invented in 1983 to copy tiny bits of DNA.

The basic sciences are sowing the seeds of tomorrow’s sustainable societies. There is no other way than to explore nature’s scenarios to tackle the interrelated crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and water insecurity.

We can only tackle a crisis if we understand it.