Earth4All-Germany

The world is currently in the midst of a so-called polycrisis, consisting of interconnected environmental, health, security, and social challenges. Wars, poverty, hunger, migration of people in need, and the growing divide between the rich and the poor are the breeding ground for populism and the undermining of our democracy. Worldwide, extreme weather events caused by climate change are on the rise, with devastating impacts that particularly affect poor people – especially in the Global South. It is clear: continuing as we have been would be fatal for our planet and for the social cohesion of our society.
However, there is also reason for optimism: worldwide, more and more people are calling for a "well-being economy," a system designed to serve both people and nature, rather than private enrichment.

In a 2022 report to the Club of Rome titled Earth for All – A Survival Guide for Humanity, foundational studies and a complex computer simulation showed how the transformation to such a well-being economy can be shaped to prevent a global catastrophe. The report clearly demonstrates that greater equality and justice, healthy food, and clean energy are achievable conditions for a livable future. A "business as usual" approach (Too Little, Too Late) leads to uncontrollable risks, but a "giant leap" toward a well-being economy is possible. This requires implementing the five interconnected turnarounds: poverty, inequality, gender equality, food, and energy. In addition, in a country with very high resource consumption such as Germany, there is a need to switch from today's highly linear economy to a circular economy.
The Club of Rome seeks to strengthen the global Earth4All initiative through adaptation to local conditions via national engagement strategies. Currently, work is underway in Austria and Kenya, with additional country strategies aligned with the report and Earth4All messages to follow.

Researchers from the Wuppertal Institute have been tasked with serving as national coordinators to collect and prepare contributions from various disciplines and experts for the "Earth4All Germany" project. This includes conducting workshops with different stakeholders, reviewing the country-specific model results provided by the Millennium Institute, and authoring and coordinating the content of the popular science book with partners.
The book "Earth4All Germany: Towards a Future for All" will be published by oekom-Verlag on 14 October 2024 and is intended as an invitation to a societal dialogue on how the vision of a "good life for all" within planetary boundaries can be achieved and what needs to happen in Germany to make this a reality.