Climate change litigation with a global approach: Interview with attorney Gisela Toussaint
A while ago, we explained what climate change litigation is, and presented some case examples that have been featured in the media (see here). For this post, we conducted a telephone interview with the climate change litigation expert Gisela Toussaint, who has already been part of several initiatives appealing to different courts. She explains further […]
‘Tis the season again: COP25 in Madrid has started
The last month of the year has begun, Christmas decorations are taking over the cities, and another climate conference has started.
Das Klimaschutzprogramm 2030: eine Farce
Vor gut einem Monat hat das Klimakabinett der Bundesregierung sein Klimaschutzprogramm 2030, meist bezeichnet als “Klimapaket”, vorgestellt. Das Programm wurde häufig für mangelnden Ehrgeiz kritisiert. Beispielsweise meint Patrick Graichen, Direktor des Thinktanks Agora Energiewende, dass die vorgesehenen Maßnahmen „bestenfalls für ein Drittel des Weges“ bis zur 2030er Ziellinie reichen. Ich habe mir die Zusammenfassung des […]
Climate protests in the court room – Climate change litigation is on the rise
Besides demonstrations in the streets and public calls for climate action, activists are also attempting to fight for stricter climate protection laws by employing the legal system. Filing lawsuits against nations and states, political actors or companies in the context of climate change is called climate change litigation. Recently, some cases have gained prominence in […]
Climate Communications Awards – You Can Vote!
Edit 8 November: The vote is already closed now and the winners have been announced yesterday: they are two young women with their impressive poetic video “Rise”, which you can watch here. —- The British climate communication organisation Climate Outreach has initiated the Climate Communication Awards to recognise outstanding individuals worldwide “who are driving public […]
Den Klimaschutz nicht zerreden – Vier Fallen der Klimakommunikation
Wenn am kommenden Wochenende der UN-Klimagipfel in New York beginnt, dürfte der mediale Aufmerksamkeitsstrudel um Klimaaktivistin Greta Thunberg noch einmal an Kraft gewinnen. Michael Brüggemann, Professor für Klima- und Wissenschaftskommunikation an der Universität Hamburg, kritisiert die Fokussierung der Berichterstattung auf die Person „Greta“ und die fehlende inhaltliche Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema. Außerdem erklärt er, was […]
“The Kids Are All Right – Adults Are the Climate Change Problem” by Max Boykoff
There is an interesting new comment by Prof. Max Boykoff on our partner blog from the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research in Boulder, Colorado/USA. He describes how older adults try to diminish climate engagement promoted by young activists – and calls for more support: “Trust in this next generation of leaders”. Read […]
Wer vertraut denn heute noch den Medien?
Ein durchaus besorgniserregender Befund unserer Forschung ist ein mangelndes Vertrauen der deutschen Bevölkerung in die Medienberichterstattung zum Klimawandel. In der deutschlandweiten Umfrage unseres Projekts „Down to Earth“ war die größte Gruppe unentschlossen, ob sie den Medien bei diesem Thema vertrauen soll. Die zweitgrößte Gruppe vertraute den Medien nicht; nur eine Minderheit vertraute ihnen (siehe Grafik). […]
Science For Dummies
As a scientist, when reading the “Scientists For Future” statement supporting the Fridays for Future protest marches, my initial response was disappointment. The statement uses an extremely basic language to summarize the demands of the Paris Agreement, and the key steps necessary to avoid the most perilous climate change hazards. There is nothing innovative, provocative […]
“Yes, but”-narrative in the German climate debate
As Fenja and Michael earlier commented, the “Fridays for Future” movement is getting more and more media coverage in Germany. The climate strike is triggering many positive, but also nasty reactions, e.g. grown-ups insulting children in commenting sections in a manner you could easily find on any schoolyard [1]. However, in the same breath they […]