UfU Information | Issue 10 – October 2023 | Editorial team
Foreword by the editors
Dear UfU member, dear friend,
You are holding the tenth issue of UfU Information in your hands. In this format, we regularly report on our association’s work, political debates and current topics from the environmental movement. As an association and scientific institute, we not only work on projects for which funding is currently available, but also constantly engage with our environment, the social debate and current transformations. These debates give rise to new projects, new ways of learning and new perspectives for the multifaceted work we have been doing for years.
The UfU information bears witness to this ongoing process when our authors report on food security in the world, climate complaints or wealth distribution. The many different perspectives and views on these topics reflect just how diverse the environmental movement is. Climate and environmental protection is no longer “just” limited to the introduction of new nature reserves, but affects our lives as a whole. Be it the way we communicate, how we pay taxes, how we relate to other countries and much more.
Unfortunately, there are no “one-size-fits-all” answers. As diverse as the issues of transformation are today, so too are the proposed (solution) paths for these changes in our society. Some readers will certainly not have shared some of the arguments in previous issues, while others will have read articles that have confirmed their opinions. For some people, environmental protection ends with their own vacation plans, while for others, environmental and climate protection is synonymous with the abolition of capitalism. Some people are bothered by new formulations such as gendering and find “the green bubble” far too unrealistic, while supporters see language, behavior and climate protection as inseparable systems.
This diversity is a good thing. Because our society is facing complex challenges. There will be no easy path that we can and want to take. We will have to argue, we will have to discuss, we will have to abandon our points of view and adopt new ones. For better or worse, some people will have to do without things, some will have to learn new things, others will make gains.
Since its foundation, UfU has been committed to participation and co-determination. It is one of our top priorities to ensure that people are involved in social change, can stand up for their views and have their say. At a time when political and social fronts are hardening, not only in our country but also globally, we call for listening, a culture of discussion and open debate. Let us try to perceive and understand each other’s points of view.
With this in mind, we will continue to work on numerous projects, continue this format and engage in discourse with you and other people.
Jonas Rüffer
Editorial manager
