What is the importance of polar and marine research for the climate? Where do we need to take action? What are the limits of international cooperation? These and other questions were at the heart of the panel discussion with climate researcher Antje Boetius, university president Jutta Günther, MARUM director Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, and Gerald Wefer, founder and former director of MARUM.
These are not easy times for the scientific community. Fake news and attacks on scientific findings are happening every day. Research programs are being canceled and funding for collaborations is being cut. Climate researcher Professor Antje Boetius, a member of the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen (MARUM), expressed concern that academic freedom might be at risk.
Such freedom cannot be taken for granted and must be defended, agreed Professor Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, director of MARUM. According to him, recent political events represent a radical change for international cooperation. All over the world, authoritarian government policies are jeopardizing cooperation.
The participants in the discussion were united in their view that, in light of this, it is not only vital to maintain international cooperation, but to expand it further.
Professor Jutta Günther, president of the University of Bremen, emphasized that cooperation is one of the university’s most valuable assets – whether within the university, with non-university institutes, or with other universities, such as the University of Oldenburg, with which a strategic partnership is currently being established. “In a world of upheaval, it is important to cooperate even more closely.”
When host Klaus Sondergeld asked Antje Boetius if people were less interested in climate issues, she said, “I don't see any signs that people are less interested in climate change.” But it would be important to include them in political decisions more.
For many years, Professor Gerald Wefer has been committed to fostering communication between scientists and the public, aa well as letting the public participate more in research. The founder and former director of MARUM is a member of the board of the Bremen House of Science, which has been communicating science from Bremen and Bremerhaven in an understandable way for 20 years through exhibitions, lectures, and discussions.
“I cannot imagine truth without freedom,” emphasized President Jutta Günther. “Freedom is the foundation upon which we stand. When academic freedom is under attack, we cannot sit back and do nothing, because everything is interconnected. Building strong alliances is essential.”
Conrad Naber Lecture:
Growth through knowledge – Wissenschafft für Bremen: In keeping with this motto, the Conrad Naber “Visions” Lecture, named after its founder, will illustrate the growth potential that can be generated through knowledge using some outstanding examples from Bremen as a science hub.
