13.06.2012 | 7 - 9 pm | Autonomous University

Climate change, environment and the role of the consumer

The financial crisis has drifted attention even further of climate change. Economic crisis and exploitation of human by human happens since millenia, the destruction of our planet at this scale however is a new phenomenon, happening at an increasing speed.

Causes and already occuring effects of climate change are quickly repeated. Then focus is set to the question, what we can do about it, first on the consumer side, then society.

No time is spent on fossil fuel or atomic stuff. We all know that. The lesser known, but quite heavy causes for which we, as a consumer, have most influence on, are illustrated. Showing how our food is contaminated with products whose production causes severe destruction of the environment, has severe effects on climate change and violation of human rights.

Since most people cannot afford to buy only organic and fairtrade food and goods, it's also important to know what is the most effective, COST-effective way of limiting our ecological foodprint.

While the climate change crisis appears to be in a crisis itself, it is pointed out that it is not that desperate, but that there is also some good news. It is stressed that we still can prevent a lot of damage and that it is important to fight resignation and act now. The new UNEP "green economy initiative" is critically evaluated, and other concrete concepts are presented.