Lecture and panel discussion: climate change and the energy transition

On August 27, 2024, we hosted an event at our office dedicated to climate action. Moderated by Dr. Svea von Hehn, the evening explored how individuals and organizations can take responsibility for climate protection and what this means in concrete terms for us at RETURN ON MEANING.

Misconceptions and myths under scrutiny

The evening opened with Prof. Andreas Luczak, Professor of Sustainable Energy Technologies, who has gained extensive industry experience through his work at Siemens, among other roles. He is also the author of the book Germany’s Energy Transition: Facts, Myths and Madness. How difficult it really is to achieve our climate goals. He gave a compelling overview of how persistent myths around climate change emerge and how we can respond to them. Once again, this made us aware of the important role that education and clear communication play in the implementation of sustainability measures. Only when the efficiency and impact of such measures are communicated transparently can distortions such as the single action bias, the mistaken belief that one action alone is already enough, be effectively addressed.

Pathways to solutions through dialogue

In the conversation that followed with Michael Pahle from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Philipp Buddemeier, founder of Better Earth, it became clear how complex the topic of climate action is. Whether through government regulation, personal lifestyle choices, or corporate responsibility, every building block matters. Particularly thought provoking was the discussion about individual scope for action: how can we bring people along and create structures that make sustainable action more attractive?

Our responsibility at RETURN ON MEANING

The discussion touched on a central aspect of our work: the importance of meaning in shaping how we act. Only when we continually question our own values and, where necessary, realign them, can we create real change. As an organization, we therefore aim not only to inform, but also to motivate and inspire.

Outlook

We would like to thank all participants and speakers who made this evening so impactful. The insights gained are already feeding into our projects, and we look forward to taking further steps together with you toward a more sustainable future.

If you would like to join us next time or have any questions about our events, feel free to contact us at: nachhaltigkeit@returnonmeaning.com