The challenges are overwhelming: climate change, species extinction, mountains of waste and global food security are major concerns for mankind. But there is no reason for resignation, according to the cover story of the November issue of bild der wissenschaft: Through clever measures with synergy effects, we can also effectively counter this tricky web of crises.
Pandemic, war, energy crisis...: The current "fires" of our time must be fought urgently, but we must not lose sight of the fundamental problems of the world. Because even with the global challenges, there is an acute need for action: Long-term oriented, strategic measures must be implemented now so that developments do not get completely out of control. However, in view of the challenges that are difficult to solve, a paralyzing pessimism is already spreading among some people. After all, climate change, species extinction, mountains of rubbish and global food security seem like an almost insolvable complex of problems with complex interactions.
But there is also an opportunity in the intertwining of the individual problems, as bdw author Ulrich Eberl explains in the first article of the three-part cover story. There is therefore great potential in the use of synergies between solution concepts in the fight against threats. First of all, the author once again clarifies the enormous dangers and critical development trends on our planet as well as the problematic links between the aspects. However, he then shows that there is reason for an optimistic approach: he presents examples of favorable trends and measures that can counteract the problems in a variety of ways. Ultimately, there are six approaches that could prove to be particularly effective, reports Eberl in the article "Mastering the problems of the world".
With science, ideas and confidence
In the second sub-article of the title topic, the author deals with concrete examples of how science and creative ideas can help to counteract a global problem. He focuses on reducing emissions of the strong climate gas methane in livestock farming. The significance of this is enormous: a study shows that a cow belches an average of around 250 liters of methane per day. The bottom line is that these farm animals cause a greater global greenhouse effect than the operation of all passenger cars. This can be counteracted by reducing meat consumption. In some cases, positive social trends can be observed and vegetarian meat substitute products are also increasingly developing their potential. Above all, however, Eberl reports on an astonishingly effective strategy: the extent of the methane belching of the cattle can be intensively reduced by feeding them red algae.
The author then focuses on promising developments in the construction industry in the article “Buildings as CO₂ storage facilities”. It makes a significant contribution to the pollution of the atmosphere with the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Because global cement production releases a similar amount of CO₂ as the whole of India and the need for new buildings is increasing enormously. But now an alternative building material is being used more and more, reports the author: Even mighty skyscrapers can be built with wood. Apparently, a large part of the new urban buildings could actually be realized with the raw material from sustainable forestry. However, concrete cannot be dispensed with entirely. But there are also climate-friendly developments in cement production, writes Eberl: Clever processes can apparently make the carbon dioxide that is produced usable.
You will find the cover story "The way out of the crisis" in the November issue of bild der wissenschaft, which will be available in stores from October 18th.