In what kind of world you want to live in?*
Climate crisis. Government failure. A democracy under strain. – From powerlessness to active participation – So much good is already happening in the world. We can essentially take a leaf out of others' books and follow suit. Here’s how it’s done...
Realizing "real-utopias" requires vision and determination. There is no shortage of measures that have already been successfully implemented in other countries and that bring us closer to a future worth living - one fit for future generations.
(See below for a catalog of good ideas)
Naturally, elected politicians are best positioned to implement major, rapid strides toward climate protection. That is why we must elect the right people and work vigorously to ensure they get elected. Things didn't go well in that regard during the last federal election in Germany. We can do better—whether in elections for associations, cities, local municipalities, federal states, or at the national level. Worldwide.
However, every individual - including you - possesses a certain degree of market power and social influence, factors that should not be underestimated. Every purchase, every consumer choice, and every action acts as a lever steering things in the right direction—or the wrong one. We are never merely spectators; we are always active shapers of events, on both a large scale and a small one.
We fully understand your desire to experience the world and enjoy life.
We want that, too. But the world as we know it is at risk of collapse due to drastic climate change. CO2 emissions—driven in large part by fossil fuels and raw materials—are massively fueling this trend. Within a decade or two, the focus will shift from living to merely surviving. A terrifying prospect. Yet, unfortunately, that is exactly what lies ahead; - right-wing and conservative politics, in particular, are blocking the necessary steps toward a future worth living in—a future fit for generations to come. But that is precisely where we want to get to, and fast! You need to know this so you can take action. If we are left with nothing but reacting, it will be too late. So... act now...
Here is what you can do:
copy, distribute, talk to each other: HAW_DinA4.JPG HAW_DinA4.pdf HAW_DinA5.pdf HAW_DinA6.pdf >translation of handouts will follow soon.
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> > 5 concrete courses of action:
( 1 ) Make sure to vote in all upcoming elections! Vote for the Greens or The Left. They are our leverage for climate protection when coalitions are being formed. There are no alternatives!
The Greens and The Left are the only ones seriously, progressively, and farsightedly committed to long-term sustainability - 100%. They are the only ones genuinely trying to avert climate collapse, preserve and strengthen democracy, and implement social justice. And they won't fail to clear the 5% threshold.
Of course, there are heated debates at times—but the fundamental direction remains policies for the common good, rather than lining one's own pockets like the corrupt, lying, and destructive conservatives, the lobbyists, and the right-wing fascists. Anyone who votes for them or colludes with them puts their own life—and all of our lives—at risk. That is why, unfortunately, none of the other parties are viable options. Don't let yourself be swayed by the smear press, lies, and fake facts. Without climate protection, we are doomed. *See below for climate facts.
Check when the next state and local elections are taking place in your federal state. The next federal election in Germany is in 2029 - and in all these elections, progressive climate action, liberal democracy, and social justice must prevail, without compromise. Otherwise, we will lose the foundations of our lives. Vote for the future. And ask the people around you to do the same. https://www.wahlrecht.de/termine.htm
To come anywhere near achieving the Paris 1.5-degree climate goal, major decisions must finally be made and implemented. Only a new Left-Green or Green-Left government can truly guarantee that.
( 2 ) Reduce CO2 emissions immediately and consistently - your consumption habits influence what gets produced and offered. And please—don't view this as a sacrifice. Quite the opposite. Feel empowered by it. Many of these changes are simply good for your body and soul. This is the new, true luxury that preserves our lives:
> Vegetarian/vegan diet instead of meat/fish (there are so many great recipes)
> stop air and ocean travel - move away from fossil fuels (our own country and all of Europe are beautiful and accessible by train—even if it’s slow in some parts)
> Use public transport and bicycles (keeps you fit :)) or car-sharing instead of driving a combustion-engine car
> Avoid using AI - insane energy consumption means high CO2 emissions (we need that energy much more urgently elsewhere)
> Buy organic and regional food (even organic discount stores are better than conventional farming that relies on synthetic fertilizers)
> Avoid plastic everywhere - in cosmetics, packaging, hardware store and art supplies, textiles, clothing, toys, etc. (natural materials are so much nicer). And... please don't wash paint rollers and brushes under the tap - almost all paints, glues, fillers, etc., contain nanoplastics that end up in our water, food, and bodies! The "Blue Angel" label is actually totally misleading in this regard!
> Buy less and choose second-hand instead of new; repair broken items (it saves money, too)
> Plant and green up everything possible. Prioritize organic, regional sourcing, and genuine utility!
> Install and use solar and wind power wherever possible (balcony solar units, green electricity providers)
> Nurture neighborhood, community, and family ties; help one another, lend items to each other, and - above all - really listen to one another and share a hug :)
https://www.co2online.de/klima-schuetzen/co2-einsparen/
https://www.greenpeace.de/klimaschutz/klimakrise/10-tipps-klimaschutz-alltag
>>> DO YOU - the ultimate 50 point list. Free download
www.oeko-lokal.de
https://ökolokal.de/sites/default/files/2023-08/O%CC%88kolokal_50PunkteListe.pdf
( 3 ) Sign petitions for environmental protection and human rights - petitions are the easiest and fastest way (and your democratic right) to make your voice heard effectively.
https://epetitionen.bundestag.de
Campact, Wemove, Openpetition , and many others.
Also, sign every petition you can find that opposes right-wing extremism and supports banning the AfD - especially this one: https://www.openpetition.de/petition/online/bayern-fuer-das-afd-verbot
And support taxing the ultra-wealthy (wealth tax). That way, we’ll have funds for climate action and social justice. https://innn.it/vermoegenssteuer
Furthermore, if you are able, please donate to organizations that drive climate action and hold environmental destroyers and CO2 polluters accountable in court:
- Deutsche Umwelthilfe
- Umweltinstitut München
- Greenpeace.de
- clientearth.de
(Just don't donate to the WWF; their plastic plush toys generate endless amounts of microplastic from China.)
( 4 ) Trust scientific facts rather than opinions or the populism of the Springer press. Forget TikTok, X, Google, Microsoft, and the like - free yourself from the manipulation and surveillance of right-wing despots. There are excellent alternatives available here in Europe: https://european-alternatives.eu/de/alternativen-zu
( 5 ) Copy these instructions, pass them on, listen to one another, and talk to each other. Distribute this letter in person to everyone you know well - and ask them to do the same. That way, we will quickly become a large group of people reading this and, ideally, acting on it.
It’s about the biggest jackpot in the world - winning it all or losing everything.
Talk to the people in your life (family, friends, neighbors, colleagues)—ask them to follow and share these instructions for their own sake, for yours, and for the future of all our children. Call them, meet up with them. Talk. Act. Help each other. Share this letter online via private message or email. But definitely share it offline, too! Without online chat surveillance! Copy it and get started ;) —start the conversation!
... and here: https://klima-flensburg.de/dialog-tipps
... and here is the catalog with good examples and plenty of ideas
klima-flensburg.de - This catalog is constantly being expanded.
Copy templates Participation instead of Powerlessness: HAW_DinA4.JPG HAW_DinA4.pdf HAW_DinA5.pdf HAW_DinA6.pdf >translation of handouts will follow soon.
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'Arm' yourself with the facts
and be determined yet composed.
You have the power to bring about change.
We are saving the world now.
'Hope is the warrior's emotion' (Nick Cave)
*Cover image: In what kind of world do you want to live? A visual representation of the current election manifestos of the CDU, SPD, Die Linke, the Greens, and the AfD, set in a fictional port city in Schleswig-Holstein, Nothern Germany – small image at the top showing projected climate changes in 10 years' time.
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UN-Emissions Gap Report
https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2025
https://www.zdfheute.de/panorama/wetter-klimawandel-drei-grad-erwaermung-rahmstorf-vinke-100.html
https://www.facebook.KlimaforscherHansJoachim Schellenhuber
*Aktuelle Studie: https://iopscience.iop.org/derKlima-Report_mit_den_Fakten(English)
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/extremwetter-deutschland-klimawandel-100.html
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Additional Information:
The latest global climate study (09/2025)* confirms that Earth's climate will change—possibly as early as 2050—to the point where our continents become uninhabitable. The climate is collapsing, with devastating consequences. This process is irreversible and is happening much, much faster than previously expected. It will happen within our lifetime - and certainly within the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren.
We could face sudden temperature swings - ranging from minus 15–30°C to plus 40°C and back again—within the span of a single month. Our bodies will not be able to withstand such extremes.
There is one final chance left. Right now. Stop this trend - for your own sake, for your loved ones, and for your family. Here, you will find concrete actions that can still mitigate the climate collapse > PROVIDED WE ALL ACTUALLY FOLLOW THEM, STARTING IMMEDIATELY—THIS IS CRUCIAL! <
The poor, children, the sick, and the elderly will be the first and hardest hit by this catastrophe. Crops will fail; hunger, thirst, disease, and wars over land and resources will follow.
• There is no longer any doubt that this will happen; the only questions remaining are when it will occur and how severe it will be.
• And - can we, the global community, manage to avert this acute threat?
This is not fear-mongering. It is a scientific fact*. Please look at the links* above, accept the facts, and join us in acting according to the instructions below. Together, we are many. Together, we have a chance. The fact* is, the Earth has been trashed, exploited, and thrown off balance by unscrupulous, profit-hungry people in corporations. The window of opportunity to mitigate the worst consequences is closing ever faster - a fact now clearly established. We must take decisive action, starting right now. Those responsible must be held accountable and make amends.
For our lives ahead. For our children’s future. You play a part in deciding whether we succeed. Giving up is not an option. Join the fight.
>translation of handouts will follow soon.
