The sustainability crisis and the role of the scientist
20th. Nov. 2025, , Ruhr-Universität Bochum, ZGH 03-121
Time:
Start: 20th. Nov. 2025. 12:00 p.m.
End: 20th. Nov. 2025. 00:00 p.m.
Abstract:
Jürgen Rödel, TU Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
Why is it that most parts of humankind continue to live in a non-sustainable manner und endanger future generations and other regions? We have now already transgressed seven planetary boundaries, next to CO2, there are also fresh water, biodiversity, land management, and others. Inorder to keep the discussion tractable, I will focus on climate, with changes being related to temperature, relative humidity and time. In particular, I will also address the costs if we continue to exploit the planet as compared to the costs of changing our lifestyles.
But what are the barriers to a sustainable lifestyle and what can we do as individuals? To address the above I provide suggestions for actions on personal, communal and international level. As political networks become fragile, we need to empower our international, transdisciplinary scientific networks beyond our narrow disciplinary convenience levels. Scientists can communicate the complex interactions between planetary boundaries and can discuss not only laws of nature but also social, psychological, political and economic boundary conditions.