Wars and crises, new arms races and waves of migration, the end of the fossil age, species extinction, forest destruction, floods and heat deaths - this summer is a typical summer in post-normal times. Not only has the climate reached a tipping point, but the familiar economic and political systems look unstable. Big solutions seem hardly feasible, small solutions unhelpful. Meanwhile, there seems to be no area of public and private life that does not need to be readjusted in view of the impending temperature increases. We are facing a global crisis for which every individual is expected to take personal responsibility. Is catastrophism the answer to all ecological, political, and moral questions, or merely the result of the world still struggling for answers?
On the eve of the Weimar Art Festival, a panel discussion will examine what options for action exist at all for the individual in the current end of the world. Theresia Walser, writer, playwright, "German master of the stage grotesque," will be taking part. In many of her plays, she sees reason on the defensive. Her new work, "Eschenliebe," is about a man who has a love affair with a tree, but tries to keep it a secret. Guillaume Paoli, philosopher, criticizes in his current book "Geist und Müll" (Mind and Garbage) that in view of the pressing global problems, individual solutions continue to be propagated: with bamboo toothbrushes against climate change. But even if all people gave up meat and consumed only local products or second-hand goods, global emissions would fall by only 25 percent. Arnd Pollmann, professor of ethics at the Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, sees double standards in the climate debate. Despite heat deaths, storm victims and starving people, many people continue to board planes, eat meat, drive SUVs. All moral appeals quickly fizzle out in everyday life. Bernhard Stengele, an actor by profession and Thuringia's environment minister since 2023, on the other hand, believes in the feasibility of energy transition and stands for consistent pragmatism. He himself does not own a car, rides a bicycle or the train, and eats a mostly vegetarian and vegan diet.
They will all discuss the finale of business as usual on the eve of the Kunstfest in the Lichtsaal of Weimar's Hotel Elephant, moderated by Thomas Bille (MDR Kultur).
A cooperation of Kunstfest Weimar and MDR Kultur.
MIT Bernhard Stengele, Theresia Walser, Arnd Pollmann, Guillaume Paoli
MODERATION Thomas Bille
PRODUKTION artour, MDR, Kunstfest Weimar