Josef Settele is an agrobiologist and professor of ecology at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. At the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Halle, he investigates how change in climate and land use affect biodiversity, and how reduced biodiversity affects ecosystems and people.

From December 7-19, 2022, 196 nations will meet in Montreal to determine a new global biodiversity framework. At issue are wildlife conservation efforts, more areas for nature conservation and spending in the billions. Climate action also hangs on the balance of this agreement. What is needed now is political courage and commitment to binding measures.

The results of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) have been overwhelmingly criticized as weak and vague. That said, the negotiators did demand that the development banks mobilize greater amounts of money for climate action.

As the climate warms, the frozen soils of the Arctic are thawing. Large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide are released, accelerating climate change. Locally, moreover, the land is subsiding, buildings are becoming unstable, and ecosystems and populations are at risk. Where exactly could permafrost disappear in the future, and where do people need to prepare?

When fruits and vegetables grow under solar modules, we call it agrivoltaics. Could the combination of agriculture and energy production help make Germany carbon-neutral? A visit to some test fields.

To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, it will not be enough to emit less carbon (CO2). In addition, CO2 must also be removed from the atmosphere. What processes are available?

Our forests are valuable natural habitats. They make important contributions to climate protection and mitigate the human impact of climate change. But they are increasingly suffering from heat and drought. Scientists and companies that manage forests are working together on ideas for shaping the forests of the future.

As it is elsewhere, climate change is increasing the risk of forest fires in Germany. So should deadwood that intensifies fires be removed from forests? Or should it be left where it is for conservation reasons?

Dirk Messner is a sustainability researcher and has been president of the German Environment Agency (UBA) since 2020. In this interview, he tells us about his hopes and worries on the way to a sustainable future with equitable sharing of the burdens associated with climate change.