Coal, petroleum, and natural gas were the bases of the industrial era. It is now approaching its end and in view of climate change, industry, politics, and research are forced to find ways towards a “post-carbon future”. The latter will be in the focus of the series of lectures on “Firsthand Sustainability” organized by the School for Sustainability, an initiative of the House of Competence (HoC) and the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) of KIT. The series of lectures will start on Wednesday, January 12, 18 hrs.
The first lecture will focus on the impact of carbon-based economy on climate. On the following Wednesdays, lectures will deal with various aspects of a society exposed or subject to climate change in various respects: Can technical solutions on a large scale, such as geo-engineering or climate engineering, secure the usual way of life? Which instruments are needed by climate policy? What does it mean for companies today to turn away from economy based on fossil fuels?
The six lectures will address the interested public and take place on Wednesdays from 18 to 19.30 hrs on Campus South, Otto-Ammann-Platz 1 (building 10.81, lecture hall 59) starting January 12. Admission will be free.
Program of the Series of Lectures on “Post-carbon Future:”
January 12
The Importance of Carbon Dioxide to Climate
Dr. Christina Endler, South-German Climate Office
January 26
Climate Engineering as the Last Ray of Hope?
Professor Armin Grunwald, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis, KIT
February 02
From Objectives to Actions – Instruments for an Ambitious Climate Policy
Damian Ludewig, Forum Ökologisch-Soziale Marktwirtschaft e.V. (Green Budget Germany)
February 09
High-tech and Improvization Architecture – Design and Planning Strategies of the Post-oil City
Dr. Valérie Hammerbacher, Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations)
February 16
Business beyond Growth – Companies on the Way towards the Post-carbon Future
Dr. André Reichel, University of Stuttgart
February 23
International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg – Climate Pro-tection Concepts “Erneuerbares Wilhelmsburg” (Renewable Wilhelmsburg)
Karsten Wessel, Internationale Bauausstellung IBA Hamburg GmbH
Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.