Peter Weish

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Peter Weish (born November 29, 1936 in Vienna ) is an Austrian scientist ( biology , chemistry and physics ), author, university lecturer and environmental activist.

Life

Peter Weish studied biology, chemistry and physics at the University of Vienna . After receiving his doctorate in philosophy in 1966, he worked as an employee at the Institute for Radiation Protection in the Seibersdorf reactor center until 1970 . Weish then worked for four years as an assistant at the Institute for Zoology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna .

In 1969 he began to critically examine the health and social aspects of nuclear energy . Numerous publications on this topic followed, including a. the scientific pocket book "Radioactivity and Environment" in G. Fischer Verlag Stuttgart and the article "Radioactivity as a disease factor" in the context of the "System analysis of the health system in Austria".

From 1974 Peter Weish worked as a scientific official at the Institute for Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation (until 1978 assigned to the Ludwig Boltzmann Society, later to the Austrian Academy of Sciences ). The main focus of his work was in the areas of urban ecology , energy policy and risk prevention. Together with Bernd Lötsch , Weish took on a pioneering role in the development of the scientific basis for urban planning decisions in Vienna (e.g. cycle path network, green strips, unleaded petrol). He also became a member of the environmental advisory board of the municipality of Vienna.

In 1984 Peter Weish became a lecturer in human ecology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna . Eight years later he completed his habilitation with the thesis “Contribution of human ecology to the assessment of technology using the example of nuclear energy” for the subject of human ecology at the University of Vienna. This was followed by teaching activities in the subjects of human ecology and environmental ethics at the University of Vienna , the Vienna University of Economics and Business and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna.

In addition to his engagement against the nuclear industry (both in Austria and abroad), Weish dealt with questions from the areas of environmental protection , environmental education , nature conservation and development cooperation . The work took place on the one hand on a scientific level, on the other hand on a social level within the framework of the " ecological movement ". In 1997 he became a co-proponent and spokesman for the genetic engineering referendum.

In the course of his commitment to environmental protection, Peter Weish was active in numerous organizations and committees:

  • Forum Science & Environment (founding member and president)
  • Anti-Atom-International (Chairman). This umbrella organization has since been dissolved.
  • Eco office (chairman)
  • Austrian Nature Conservation Association (since 1970)
  • WWF
  • ÖGUT (founding president, honorary president)
  • National Park Institute
  • Forum for nuclear issues (advisory body of the ministry responsible for nuclear affairs)
  • Genetic Engineering Commission (until 1999)
  • Environment working group of the German Bishops' commission

Peter Weish has been a retired civil servant since 1997. He continues to work as a university teacher and in the field of environmental protection organizations.

Honors

Publications

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Weish, Peter
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian scientist (biology, chemistry and physics), author and environmental activist
DATE OF BIRTH November 29, 1936
PLACE OF BIRTH Vienna , Austria