I hope this holiday season finds you well, happy with life and surrounded by the ones you love. As I was thinking of presents for all of you this year, I realized I wanted to do something different. I wanted to give you something that is meaningful to both you and me, that was not necessarily material (not sustainable! ☺) and yet something that really involves giving on my part. So I decided to give you the gift of time (something we all probably feel we don’t have enough of) and a part of my life (which I realize many of you probably don’t really know much about). So for the next few hours or so, I will sit down and write to you about what I do in my life, maybe a little bit of who I am and just share a little bit of my every-day life with you. Some parts you might know well, others perhaps not so much. I hope there is something new you will discover. And I hope that sometime in the course of next year, we will be able to sit down together in person, I will invite you to a cup of coffee or tea and we can continue sharing…your life, my life…

I will start with my job. First, because I spend most of my time working, but also because I love it and my job is who I am. Many of you will probably know that I stayed in Sweden after my amazing year in the Masters programme in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability. And I am still here, living in Karlskrona, Sweden, working at BTH (Blekinge Institute of Technology) with the Masters programme. While last year I was one of the three programme assistants, I have since moved up in the world (just kidding) and have become a research associate and course lead within the programme. In reality, this is not very different than before, mainly because even as an assistant we were given so much responsibility, that it never really felt like an “assistant” position. However, rather than being spread over many different tasks, I now have only two – teaching and research. I will start with the latter.

Again, some of you might know a little bit about the framework we use here in the masters programme. For those of you, who don’t I´ll try and provide a quick overview here. The framework is called the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development. It was derived by looking at the key natural cycles that occur on our planet and how humans interact with them. From that, the scientist derived, basically how we could mess with these cycles. The three ways they found, how we could significantly alter the system is by, for one, systematically increasing the substances, that earth usually stores in its crust, in the ecosphere (nature). We usually do this by digging up resources out of the ground, such as gold, oil, etc. Doing so in itself is not necessarily bad. In fact, nature does this by itself. However, if we significantly increase the rate that nature does this by itself, we might have a problem. The second way we can mess with the natural system, is by systematically producing substances in society that are foreign to nature and then introducing them to nature. This usually applies to all kinds of chemicals that we produce, which leak into nature (sometimes just through evaporating) and for which nature has no coping mechanism. Finally, we can interfere with nature´s mechanisms by destroying it physically. This includes overharvesting, clear-cutting, etc. If we do so systematically without letting nature re-generate, we again are creating unsustainable conditions. The reason that these actions are problematic, of course, is that we depend on nature and its services for our life and we therefore depend on its natural cycles functioning properly. The framework is built on the idea that if we know what we cannot do (mess with the system in the three ways described above), we can do anything else. This approach allows existing actions and initiatives to be assessed as well as new ones to be planned with these constraints in mind. So the ecological side of the framework as described above is well elaborated and scientifically robust. My research involves the social side of sustainability. The three ways to destroy the ecological system are phrased as principles when a “not” is inserted in front of them. They make up principles 1-3 of the framework. There is currently a 4th, social principle. It is based on the idea that in a sustainable society all humans should be able to meet their needs. The 4th principle therefore states that in a sustainable society the capacity of individuals to meet their needs in not systematically undermined. However, this principle is neither based on understanding the societal system (as the ecological side is based on understanding the natural system) nor have the scientists really looked at ways to mess with the basic mechanisms that make a social system function. This will be partly my job! So my research revolves around understanding the social system and ways that we undermine our own working together. You can see this whole explanation on video, if you go to http://msls.tek.bth.se and click on Religion and Science. The lecture you see there was my first public appearance on this topic. As you may have gathered by now, this seems to be leading to a PhD research project, which means I will be here for anther little while. I am excited about this prospect and am working with some amazing people, mostly the founders of the framework, to achieve this task. It’s challenging, which of course I like and the potential to make this framework as robust as it can be, excites me.

The rest of my worktime is spent “teaching”. I put this in quotation marks, because I don’t think what we do is really teaching. We provide the students with a safe environment and a stimulus for learning and try to guide them through their learning process. While I help out in our introduction course (mostly with social sustainability stuff), I mainly do this in our Advanced Societal Leadership course and the Leadership thread that runs throughout our programme. The course is solely run by myself and our assistant and focuses on the paradigm shift that is needed to reach sustainability and how to engage and motivate other people in this shift. The idea of a paradigm shift revolves around the notion that we need to fundamentally
change how we do and think about things in order to reach sustainability. In physics, the discovery of quantum physics is often cited as an example of a paradigm shift because it fundamentally altered how we see the world. Similarly, the discovery that the earth is indeed not the center of the universe, was another paradigm shift. So we have gone through paradigm shifts before and the ideas is that we need to do so again in order to reach sustainability. In the course, we look at what this paradigm might look like and how to facilitate its arrival. A lot of the discussion revolves around the way we see ourselves in the relation to the rest of the world, how we perceive the world around us and how we perceive and work with others. Much of it talks about how many disciplines (starting with physics and quantum physics) are moving away from a mechanistic worldview, where we think we can categorize everything and see the world as a machine to a more holistic worldview, where everything is related, functions as a system and where the system cannot be analyzed by being broken down into parts. This then leads to the idea that there is not necessarily one reality and truth out there, but that depending on which part of the system we look at or even who is looking, reality changes. This of course leads to the idea that there is never one right answer, but that we need to find solutions that work for the people affected and involved. The students discover different ways of interacting with the people around them and take an in-depth look of what they are bringing to the picture and how they see the world. Topics we look at in the individual leadership thread as well the Advanced Societal leadership course include the art of listening, non-violent communication, system dynamics, effective teams, co-creation of solutions by a team, the concept of learning organizations, appreciative inquiry, theory U and many others.

Needless to say, my work has changed my life. More so than ever, I have become interested in my own self, how I understand things, what I bring to the picture, what my strengths and weaknesses are and what I need to work on to bring this paradigm about. I have started a meditation course, I have become rather careful how I express myself as well as very observant to how others express themselves (of course, the latter is always easier ☺ ). And I enjoy every minute of it. I don’t think I have ever been happier.

Andre, my boyfriend for over a year now, for those of you who have not heard, has been an incredible help, inspiration and practicing ground in this arena. He is interested in pretty much the exact same things as I am, but is very different. Let´s just say he is Brazilian and I am German ☺, which allows for lots of practicing of seeing things in different ways with not one true answer. You get what you preach! Andre is currently living with me (and my 3 roommates, more below) as he is looking for opportunities to establish himself in Sweden/Europe in the social sustainability field.

So what else happens in my life? Not much really. Between work and Andre, there really is not much time left. Two of the three people living with us, happen to work in the same programme, so work definitely gets taken home ALL THE TIME. But we do have a little family going at our cozy house, with eveningly dinners cooked by one of us and weekend adventures. We even bought a Christmas tree this year and decorated it. Besides that, I try to go to the gym two to three times a week, mostly for dancing and meet up with some friends who I do not work or live with every now and then. Of course, the class also hosts events every now and then, which we try to attend, but I am getting to the point, where often on Friday nights I just want to go home and go to bed (especially these days, when it gets dark at 3:30 pm). However, we do have our own LCD projector at home and a big blank white wall, which often turns into a movie theater setup. In addition our roommate Tony is the king of making Irish coffee and so many evening and especially weekends involve coziness on the coach and a couple of hours, where we try not to think about sustainability.

I now feel like I have shared most of what there is to my life. Overall, I could not be happier. Of course, there are always downs as well. I wish I could manage to keep more in touch with all of you, write emails, chat, visit. I do miss you incredibly and you are often in my thoughts. I do hope that at some point during the next year, I will be able to see you all in some way. The invitation for a cup of coffee or tea still stands…of course this can also be at my house in Karlskona.

For now, I hope you are all safe and well and enjoying the holiday season. I hope you also enjoyed this little more in-depth glimpse into my life. I got some great pleasure from spending this and thinking of you while writing about my life. I wish you all the best for 2009 and that you always remember all the love and care that is already in your life and of course, that you discover more every day of the year.

With much love and a big hug from me. Yours always

Not much has been going on in my life these days. Gym and thesis writing. That’s about it. On a brighter note, the sun came out for the first time in weeks - yeah! - and it feels like spring.

While my life has just been ordinary, the world stage is tumultious…I am not sure whether more than usual. Climate Change Talk has been everywhere. Al Gore won two Oscar’s for “An Inconvenient Truth” and the new UN reports came out. Report 1: Rise of ocean levels vy up to 59 centimeters and up to 6.4 degrees warmer by 2100. Even with an immdediate stop of CO2 production the atmosphere will heat up for decades. Plus: Humans are definately responsible for climate change. Then part three (who taught the UN how to count?): We have until 2020 to prevent a CATASTROPHE. Today the second part is coming out: Even with a drastic change in climate politics we will not be able to prevent climate change, mearly dampen it. Waehrend mein Leben die Tage recht langweilig ist, passiert auf der Weltbuehne so einiges. Ueberall redet man ueber den Klimawandel. Al Gore hat zwei Oscar’s fuer seinen Film ueber den Klimawandel gewonnen und die UN hat ihre neuen Berichte vorgstellt. Bericht 1: Bis 2100 könnte die Temperatur im Durchschnitt um 6,4 Grad Celsius ansteigen - mit verheerenden Folgen - und daran sei der Mensch schuld. Teil3: Bis zum Jahr 2020 bleibt nach Einschätzung der Wissenschaftler noch Zeit, um durch neue Technologien eine Klimakatastrophe zu verhindern. Heute kommt der zweite Teil raus: Selbst mit einer deutlichen klimapolitischen Wende lassen sich die schwer wiegenden Folgen des Klimawandels bestenfalls abmildern - aufhalten lassen sie sich nicht.

Bevor that there was the Stern report: climate change will coast us upt to 5.48 Billion Euro and could start a new crisis in the world economy. Für Aufsehen sorgte auch eine Studie des ehemaligen Weltbank-Chefökonomen Nicholas Stern, der die Kosten des Klimawandels auf bis zu 5,48 Billionen Euro taxierte und davor warnte, die globale Erwärmung könne eine neue Weltwirtschaftskrise auslösen.

Experts believe that the number of heat deaths in Germany will rise from 4500 last year to more than 16 000 by 2085 unless there will be precautionary measures. Additionally, deseases from allergies and transmitted by insects will substantially increase. Ohne entsprechende Vorkehrungen - beispielsweise der Einführung von Hitzewarnsystemen - erwarten die Experten, dass die Zahl der Hitzetoten in Deutschland von 4500 im vergangenen Jahr auf mehr als 16.000 Tote im Jahr 2085 ansteigen wird. Nicht nur die steigenden Temperaturen an sich werden Krankheiten und Kosten verursachen. “Wir werden es auch mit der Ausbreitung von allergieauslösenden Krankheiten zu tun haben”, so Michael Hübler, Mitautor der Studie. “Aber auch von Insekten übertragene Krankheiten werden zunehmen. Zum Beispiel durch Zecken oder den Eichenprozessionsspinner, eine Raupe, dessen giftige Haare Reizungen der Haut und Atemwege hervorrufen kann.”

In 2005 alone, the insurance sector payed 78 billion dollars to claims that were received in relation to climate change disasters. Allein im Jahr 2005 zahlten die Versicherungen weltweit die Rekordsumme von 78 Milliarden Dollar für Schadensfälle aus, die mit dem Klimawandel zu tun haben.

Major corporations around the world (including aluminum producer Alcoa, General Electric, Citigroup, Volvo, Air France, DuPont, Allianz, Münchener Rück, Bayer und BASF) demanded politics to show more action against climate change. The international corporations were aware of their responsibility in the fight against global warming, but technology alone could not be the solution. They asked for specific caps on emissions worldwide and a price for the emissions of CO2 that industries would have to pay.
Großkonzerne aus aller Welt haben in einem gemeinsamen Appell ein entschlossenes Handeln der Politik gegen den Klimawandel gefordert. In weltweiter Abstimmung müssten Regierungen verbindliche Obergrenzen für den Ausstoß von Treibhausgasen festsetzen, hieß es in der Vereinbarung. Außerdem müsse ein Preis für den Kohlendioxid-Ausstoß von Kraftwerken und Fabriken festgelegt werden, um die Unternehmen von den Emissionen abzubringen. Zu den Unterzeichnern zählen Unternehmen wie der weltgrößte Aluminiumhersteller Alcoa, der Mischkonzern General Electric, die Citigroup, Volvo, Air France und der US-Chemiekonzern DuPont. Auch die deutschen Dax-Konzerne Allianz, Münchener Rück, Bayer und BASF unterschrieben die Erklärung. Internationale Unternehmen nähmen ihre Verantwortung im Kampf gegen die Erderwärmung bereits wahr, doch der Einsatz moderner Technologien allein reiche nicht aus, sagte der Chef des US-Mischkonzerns General Electric, Jeffrey Immelt.

While I usually like to rant about the US (and there is plenty to rant about there. let’s just say war and Iran), this will talk about Germany’s reaction to these news. Partly, because I have given up to expect anything from the US on this issue, at least in national politics and also, because Germany is supposedly so progressive in that issue. Let’s see
Waehrend ich mich normalerweise gerne ueber die USA auslasse (und da gibts ja genug - ich sage nur Krieg und Iran), werde ich hier mal ueber Deutschland reden. Teils, weil ich einfach aufgegeben habe zu hoffen, dass die USA auf national-politscher Ebene was zu diesem Thema tut und teils, weil Deutschland ja angeblich so eine Vorreiterrolle spielt. Mal schauen.

Here are the news from the last month alone:

As a keynote speaker at a conference in Washington Chancellor Merkel warned about the consequences of climate change and demanded that concrete action is taken. Bundeskanzlerin Merkel hat zu konkreten Schritten aufgerufen, um die Klimaerwärmung zu bekämpfen. In einer Videobotschaft zum Auftakt einer Konferenz von Politikern und Forschern zum Klimawandel in Washington warnte sie vor den verheerenden Folgen der Erderwärmung.

Chancellor Merkel thinks that a general speed limit on the autobahn is not necessary. EU-Environment Minister Dimas appeals to Germany to live up to their leadership role. Merkel responds we have env-friendly technology. Trotz des jüngsten UN-Klimaberichts hält Bundeskanzlerin Merkel ein generelles Tempolimit auf deutschen Autobahnen für überflüssig. EU-Umweltkommissar Dimas rief Deutschland dagegen auf, seiner Vorbildfunktion gerecht zu werden. Merkel verwies auf umweltfreundliche Technologien, die in Deutschland entwickelt würden.

Germany finally gave in after fighting with the EU for weeks about the appropriate emission levels. The EU proposed 453 Mill tons per year, Germany insisted on 465. Germany had already lowered the standards from 482 Mill to 465, which the EU did not see as sufficient. Just before that the EU had to lower their standards for cars because of heavy protest from Germany, which was heavily backed by their car industry.
Die Bundesregierung will laut Umweltminister Sigmar Gabriel die Vorgabe der EU für den Emissionshandel einhalten. Statt der beantragten 465 Millionen Tonnen Kohlendioxid jährlich wolle Deutschland nun die von der EU geforderten 453 Millionen Tonnen akzeptieren, sagte Gabriel der “tageszeitung” am Rande der UN-Umweltkonferenz in Nairobi. Über die stärkere Verminderung der Emissionen aus Kraftwerken und Fabriken hatten Regierung und EU-Kommission wochenlang diskutiert. Die Bundesregierung hatte Brüssel sogar mit einer Klage gedroht. Die Bundesregierung hatte zuvor bereits die akzeptierte Menge von ursprünglich 482 Millionen Tonnen Kohlendioxid für die Jahre 2008 bis 2012 auf 465 Millionen Tonnen gesenkt. Dies hatte allerdings der EU-Kommission nicht gereicht. Erst am Mittwoch hatte die EU nach Protesten aus Deutschland ihre umstrittene Klimaschutz-Strategie für sparsamere und sauberere Autos zu Gunsten der hiesigen Autoindustrie entschärft. Dies hatten Umweltschützer heftig kritisiert.

Lufthansa – Germany’s biggest airlines threatens to leave Germany with the introduction of emissions trading because it would be cheaper for them. Lufthansa - Deutschlands größte Fluglinie droht mit Abwanderung. Mit der Einführung des Emissionsrechte-Handel durch die EU könnte es für die Lufthansa günstiger werden.

Audi-CEO Stadler responded to criticism from the German President Köhler regarding the german car industry and their lack of awareness/response to climate change. Stadler said: we are in the money-making business, we are not a welfare institution. The german car industry lives from making sporty luxury-cars. Mit scharfen Worten hat der neue Audi-Chef Rupert Stadler die Kritik von Bundespräsident Horst Köhler an den deutschen Automobilherstellern zurückgewiesen. Dieser hatte der deutschen Autoindustrie Versäumnisse beim Klimaschutz vorgeworfen.”Wir sind keine Sozialhilfestation, wir sind ein Wirtschaftsunternehmen,” sagte Stadler. Die deutschen Autobauer lebten insbesondere von der Produktion großer, sportlicher Fahrzeuge.

In other news: Australia decides to phase out non-energy efficient lightbulbs and Germany is debating the same. Members of the german government will from now on offset all their business travel emissions. car-free weekends and the re-entry into the nuclear power business are also being discussed. Otherwise there is no plan to address climate change or the connected energy crisis. Energiesünder Australien setzt auf Energiesparlampen und die deutschen diskutieren das jetzt auch. Der CO2-Ausstoß, den Mitglieder der Bundesregierung durch Dienstfahrten und-flüge verursachen, soll künftig durch Investitionen in Klimaprojekte ausgeglichen werden. Ausserdem diskutiert werden autofreie wochenenden und der wiedereinstieg in die atompolitik. Ansonsten hat Deutschland noch keinen weiteren Plan mit dem klimawandel und der damit verbundenen Energiekrise umzugehen.

So much for taking a leading position, I guess. Does anyone else think that these are peanuts or measures in the wrong direction. What the hell is going on with this country? We are starting to look like the US regarding climate change. Naja, soviel zu Fuehrungsposition. Das gibst doch wohl nicht. Langsam sehen wir aus wie die USA was Klimawandel und Energiepolitik angeht.

Rant over.

So I wrote this last week and ironically since then I have been out partying, etc. For now, I am off to Spain (and I hope the plane leaves on time in this snow chaos, although the sun just came out). I also just posted new pictures because I realized how little of that I have done over the last few months. More to come…stay tuned!