Opening speech

Authoritarian and conspiracy-theory-driven movements are gaining ground: they deny human-induced climate change, dismiss scientific expertise as an ‘elite project’, and pit simplistic truths against complex findings. In doing so, they undermine democratic debate and society’s ability to tackle environmental crises in a forward-looking and united manner. Science can contribute to tackling climate change if it neither succumbs to blind faith in technology nor shrinks from anti-science sentiment.

We are delighted to have secured the services of Prof. Dr. Ferdi Schüth, an internationally renowned scientist who, against this backdrop, assesses the potential of science using his own work as an example.

Ferdi Schüth is Director at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim an der Ruhr and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Leibniz Prize. He represents energy issues for the Max Planck Society, including through the publication Die Zukunft der Energie – Die Antwort der Wissenschaft (C.H. Beck 2008). He studied chemistry and law.

This event is part of the supporting programme.

Buy a ticket for the main programme and enjoy the supporting programme for free!