Vienna Basin: An Anthropococene Process Landscape in Central Europe - Seminar recap
On January 23th, 2025 the OHPA hosted a seminar with Dr. Benjamin Steininger, a historian of science and technology affiliated with the Cluster of Excellence UniSysCat at TU-Berlin and the MPI of Geoanthropology in Jena. His lecture examined the historical and geopolitical significance of oil extraction in the Vienna Basin, positioning it within both global environmental trends and regional industrial history. Dr. Steininger introduced the concept of “geoanthropology,” which links local resource histories to broader planetary transformations in the Anthropocene. He emphasized how industrial chemistry and oil refining have played a crucial role in shaping modernity.
The Vienna Basin, though lesser known than other oil-producing regions, has been a key center of oil production since the early 20th century. Dr. Steininger traced its history from early discoveries to its strategic importance during the Nazi era and Soviet occupation. The region’s oil infrastructure later became a cornerstone ofAustria’s post-war economic development, forming the backbone of the state-owned oil company OMV. The lecture highlighted the shifting role of oil in Austrian society, from driving economic growth to posing environmental challenges as resources deplete and energy systems evolve. The talk concluded by reflecting on the future of oil in Central Europe, the ongoing impact of energy geopolitics, and how past experiences shape contemporary debates on sustainability and the energy transition.
The full talk as well as the subsequent discussion is available to view on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/rwCZ2dmQU4o