Is climate change purely a problem of nature?

Not by a long shot. The economy, politics and society are equally affected. Helga Kromp-Kolb reveals why and how this can be imagined in her new book, which corresponds perfectly with Niko Paech's book.

It can't stay the way it is._{Saving CO2} is only part of the solution. We need to rethink and for this we need new visions of the future that seem worthwhile to us all.

Doing without is a major lever here - and at the same time one that triggers great fear of loss throughout society. However, there is a lot to be gained from such a development if you bear in mind that the quality of life can be significantly higher with a lower standard of living.

Don't be afraid of reduction, because it is only possible after we ask ourselves questions like:

What do we really need?

What do we want to keep?

What can we let go of?

This clarity can be incredibly enriching for our lives.

Who is responsible for visions of the future?

Science as an authority does not see itself in the position of providing visionary ideas for life in the future; its task lies more in problem-solving than in creative thinking (although every scientific approach is of course based on an idea that can be described as creative, this is a different form of creativity).

Art would be a means of bringing visions closer to us - it is still fighting for its role in the climate-related rethinking process anyway.

Politics should actually be a platform for people with visions for the future. However, this would require that the focus always remains on the big picture and not on personal interests, careers and the advancement of individuals. In this case, the next generation would have to come before the next election result. A new culture of "serving a cause" would have to be made socially acceptable.

Peace is a prerequisite for sustainability

Helga Kromp-Kolb uses the image of a boat in which we are all sitting and into which water is already running. The only solution is for us to bail together and move as close together as possible, because it won't tolerate any rocking motion.

According to Helga Kromp-Kolb, a common solution is the basis of all rethinking and anything that shakes this basis must be removed. If this does not happen, she expects nuclear bombs before we die of heat death.

We are therefore faced with a social problem

The effects of climate change are dividing society. Those who suffer the most live in the heat islands of the city in confined spaces with little greenery. They are the ones who are economically worse off. Self-reinforcing mechanisms exacerbate the divide and are sure to lead to conflict and, subsequently, war.

It is therefore becoming increasingly clear that climate change is first and foremost a social problem. As such, the only solution is, of course, a social one.

So in these times of upheaval, it would be great to pose a question to society as a whole:

Where do we want to go?

This would of course trigger a social negotiation process, which is desirable. Helga Kromp-Kolb even suspects that the solution might not be that difficult, because it could basically be that we all want the same thing - and that doesn't necessarily require three cars outside the door.