Students discuss climate change and future issues with the UBA boss!

Students discuss climate change and future issues with the UBA boss!

What is happening in the heart of Dessau-Roßlau? On one special occasion, the Roßlau secondary school served as a stage for a panel discussion that impressively illuminated the gap between theoretical environmental awareness and the practical commitment of young people. The President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Dirk Messner, was there and spoke to students about the pressing issues of climate change. The event took place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UBA in Dessau-Roßlau, and Messner regularly takes the opportunity to enter into dialogue with the younger generations. After all, the UBA is not only an institution with over 2,000 employees, half of whom work in Dessau-Roßlau, but is also firmly rooted in the city's society. Messner is not only active locally but also internationally and wants the UBA to become part of the solution.

The students in class 10b had the opportunity to express their thoughts on four theses about climate protection and its effects on other policy areas. A UBA survey showed that young people generally agreed with the theses, but at the same time showed little commitment to environmental policy. This reveals a discrepancy that can be observed not only in Dessau-Roßlau, but throughout Germany.

Urgent issues on the agenda

During the discussion, topics that seemed more immediate and tangible to the young people also came up. Radicalization in societies, security for women and ending wars attracted great interest. At a time when many young people are confronted with realities that affect them beyond climate change, the climate issue is often pushed into the background. This also reflects the results of a current study on environmental awareness in Germany. According to this survey, 54 percent of respondents said that environmental and climate protection was very important to them - although a decrease from 57 percent in 2022 and 65 percent in 2020. It is obvious: the awareness is there, but the priority is shifting.

What is particularly worrying is that only a third of those surveyed believe that Germany can adequately deal with the consequences of climate change. These pessimistic assessments are the lowest since 2002. The assessment of the federal government's efforts to combat climate change is also at a similar level, as a survey shows, in which 28 percent of respondents think the government is doing enough.

Insights into the UBA’s environmental work

The UBA also presented 13 topic areas that were presented by employees to give students a practical insight into the challenges of environmental protection. These included urgent challenges such as the fight against plastic waste and the protection of forests and peatlands. These topics are taking up more and more space in public discussion, but are often not a priority in the minds of young people.

Another reason for the declining prioritization of climate protection could be exhaustion in the context of everyday life. Given the many political and social challenges, many young people feel increasingly overwhelmed. It remains to be seen how environmental awareness and commitment will develop in the next generation.

Overall, the exchange in Dessau-Roßlau made it clear that it is time to recognize and combine both environmental and social problems as issues relevant to action. Even though the UBA provides a wealth of knowledge resources, it is society's task to activate this knowledge and transform it into concrete action.