The Copenhagen Summit followed the old logic, which perceives of climate protection as an economic burden. The tug-of-war was about how to share the load between First, Second, and Third World: Who has to commit to what amount of emission reductions, who is going to pay for the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies to developing countries, and who will back the investment necessary for adaptation in the poor countries most threatened by climate change. Yet, this logic is on the rocks – and it is that, which gives hope. The insight, that climate protection is a source of new wealth is gaining traction.

The transition from the fossil-based industrial age to an era of renewable energies, resource efficient products, and smart green technologies is a potential fountain of youth for the old industrialised countries. The green industrial revolution will, on a grand scale, create new products, services, and jobs. It will replace the import of oil, gas, and coal with energy saving technology, wind and solar power, and it will transform the look of our cities and remake our transport systems. This opens up vast possibilities for researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, farmers, urban planers, producers, and consumers.

Although much remains to be done, the great transformation is on its way: within the energy sector, in construction, in industry – and in Europe, the US, and China alike. To be sure, political decisions will be a major factor in how swiftly and powerfully change will occur. Yet, the future is not the exclusive domain of governments. All of us can be and will have to become actors in an ecological turnaround.

You can download the magazine as a pdf-file (pdf, 18 pages, 900 KB)