Publication & Media

The burning of wood for energy is increasing worldwide, putting pressure on forests and ecosystems. This paper analyzes the development in Europe, North America, East Asia, Africa, and South America.

The briefing shows how the scenarios of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report (AR6) perpetuate existing inequalities into the future. It explores alternative perspectives that prioritize equitable futures, climate justice, and well-being for all in IPCC AR7.

This report strives to shed light on the various biophysical as well as sociocultural long-term impacts of mining, which can mean massive long-term monetary costs for states and further generations.

Africa must find pathways to provide a better life for its people, including access to healthy and sustainably produced food. This policy paper takes a closer look at the role of synthetic fertilizers in African food systems.

The study by Asia expert Dieter Reinhardt shows why the construction of this coal-fired power plant is an exemplary anachronism: it prevents the expansion of renewable energies, which is necessary because of climate change and for which Bangladesh has the potential; and it weakens coastal protection, which should have priority in view of rising sea levels.

Publication Series on Ecology 4: The automotive industry is not only suffering from the economic downturn, it has also been in a structural crisis for some time. Overcapacity and years of ignoring medium and long-term challenges such as climate change, the finite nature of fossil fuel resources and the fading symbolic value of cars in urban areas are contributing to the industry’s troubles. It will not be possible to stay the course.

Publication Series on Ecology 5: The sustainable city of tomorrow faces not only ecological, but also major social challenges, and these are reasons enough to dedicate a conference and this associated compilation to urban development and urban lifestyles of the future.

Publication Series on Ecology 3: There is growing recognition of the imperative to address the economic and environmental crises together rather than separately. This means that the solution to current economic problems lies not in pushing “shovel-ready” programs like more road building or in simply restarting the engine of consumption, but rather in laying the foundations for a fundamental green transformation.

Publication Series on Ecology 2: Following the Bali conference, the climate negotiations are going into marathon mode, but the challenge is urgent.

Publication Series on Ecology 1: Imagine a world in which both the scandal of global poverty and the threat of climate change were taken seriously. In such a world, what action would be required to reduce the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases and hold global warming below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels while at the same time respecting the right of poor people to dignity, to human development, and to economic opportunity?