Communicating the sustainability crisis

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Rödel
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 544252361

Not only has our planet Earth reached a global warming of 1.3°C, but also a recent publication described, that six of nine planetary boundaries have been transgressed. The political networks have made serious efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions and maintain a sustainable planet, but have failed drastically. This happens, while multiple international crises weaken the political networks, mankind is faced with a systemic problem with strong mutual interrelationships demanding a socio-ecological transformation. The time scales for infrastructural investments are decades and politicians cannot cope with all by themselves. Hence, another international, robust network needs to be strengthened. This is obviously the scientific network with superb connections between disciplines and nations. Therefore, we plan to communicate the sustainability crisis through talks, publications, social media and a new alliance of societies for a sustainable future. Universities, scientists and the next generations through our students and systemic, integrative teaching need to be involved and empowered. As the materials scientist is in the center of new technology for alternative energy, transport, circular economy, we need to play our role also in a wider context.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants