In 2010, the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU) celebrated its 20th birthday: to mark the occasion, various events were dedicated to this anniversary. The first event was the celebration of UfU’s 20th birthday on March 12, 2010. In the presence of 120 guests, the co-founder Dr. Reinhard Piechocki, the Chairwoman of the Environment Committee of the German Bundestag Ms. Eva Bulling-Schröter, the Vice President of the German Bundestag Mr. Wolfgang Thierse, the Federal Chairwoman of the Green League Ms. Katrin Kusche and the Chairman of the UfU Board Mr. Michael Zschiesche each gave short speeches. Performances by the Gittarrenorcherster Berlin, a buffet, a “Wishes for UfU” campaign and dancing until midnight rounded off the celebration.
Under the title “Wende 1989/1990 – Krise 2009/2010 – Umbrüche gestalten”, a scientific symposium organized by UfU took place on 19.3.2010 at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. took place. Well-known speakers were invited: Prof. Dr. Rolf Kreibich, Scientific Director and Managing Director of the IZT Berlin, spoke about “The upheaval of 1989/1990 and its environmental policy lessons from the perspective of a West German”, the former EU Commissioner, Dr. Michaele Schreyer, Vice President of the European Movement Network, spoke on the topic: “What can the financial crisis learn from the environmental crisis or where are the markets of the future?”. Dr. Felix Christian Matthes, Research Coordinator for Energy and Climate Policy at the Öko-Institut e.V., spoke on the topic: “2050 – Thinking from the target – climate policy challenges and new solutions”. Malte Schmidthals, Head of Climate Protection & Environmental Education, concluded the series of speakers with his presentation: “Technology versus lifestyle change in the climate protection debate.” 80 participants engaged in a lively and persistent discussion.
On March 23, the expert discussion “Factor 5 – Why global climate protection can succeed” at the Saxony-Anhalt State Representation concluded the celebrations for UfU’s birthday. Prof. Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker exclusively presented his new book with the above title in Berlin. It was introduced and presented by none other than Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer. The approximately 70 participants at the event were strongly encouraged in their commitment to climate and environmental protection by Germany’s two best-known environmental politicians.
Photos: Dagmar Heene
