Götz Neuneck

Possible Implications of Climate Engineering for Peace and Security

What: An international group of scientists reviewed the potential consequences of climate engineering and provided a first mapping of the problem landscape, identifying knowledge gaps and emerging research questions. When: 10–11 November 2011 Where: Hamburg, Germany T here is a growing discussion about the intentional manipulation and control of the climate system—known as “geoengineering” or “climate engineering.” This is in part due to some scientists and political authorities considering geoengineering as a necessary “plan B” option for a “global last resort” to counter catastrophic climate change. While research on climate engineering is already attracting resources and interest, there is a lack of understanding of the potential consequences, in particular for peace and security. A workshop1 held at the University of Hamburg, Germany, in the fall of 2011 examined these issues to identify gaps in our understanding of geoengineering and to address emerging questions (the conference program is available at http://clisec.zmaw.de /Conference-program.1929.0.html). In the opening keynote speech, an overview of the different possibilities for geoengineering Earth’s climate generally identified two fundamental categories: carbon dioxide (CO2) removal (CDR) and solar radiation management (SRM). The overarching goal of all measures is to offset climate change. However, it was argued that geoengineering cannot replace mitigation and adaptation measures when it comes to dealing with climate change—hence, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions remains of utmost importance.

Frieden in verschiedenen Wissenschaftsdisziplinen

Die Arbeit am Frieden bewegt sich im Spannungsfeld von Macht, Herrschaft, Technologie, Recht, Moral und Religion. Der Beitrag zeichnet daher Entwicklungen des Friedensbegriffs in der Philosophie, der christlichen Theologie, dem Volkerrecht, der Wirtschaftswissenschaft, den Internationalen Beziehungen sowie den Naturwissenschaften nach und stellt Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede in den verschiedenen Wissenschaftsdisziplinen dar.

Dual-Use and Conversion of Military-Related R&D in Germany

For decades, both West and East Germany had to carry heavy burdens in terms of military forces, maneuvers and deployment of foreign troops close to the iron curtain. Germany was one of the most densely militarized zones in the world; the inner-German border between East and West created tremendous risks and burdens including the threat of extinction in a nuclear war.1 On the other hand, after 1945 Germany never possessed a highly militarized industrial base as did the United States, although several sectors were heavily dependent on military contracts (e.g., ship-building, aerospace, machine-building). In the shadow of the superpower competition and within the European Community, West Germany was able to rebuild its economy and gain economic competitiveness. In this respect, Germany, like Japan, profited from the Cold War. With the fall of the Berlin wall a new situation has arisen, in many respects the reverse of the East-West conflict. Most of the security risks of a European military confrontation have vanished, but economic problems have been aggravated due to unification.