How can more developed countries with the chance to do research and have a great amount of knowledge help the developing countries in their way to sustainable transition? These are just some of the questions that we covered with enthusiastic researchers in the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
Wuppertal Institute was founded in 1991 with the goal to do scientific research on ecology related issues and support decision makers and organizations with reliable and professional data. We were amazed how diverse the palette of research topics were, starting from the analysis of the circular economy, creating regional sustainability strategies and action plans for North-Rhine Westphalia, developing a sustainability radar for more effective environment-related decision making and effectively implementing even developing local “green” energy transitions.
We had the chance to learn more in detail about a project of the Institute. We were surprised by the fact that one out of every ten people in the world doesn’t have access to energy, which reassured us to take into consideration two main aspects: improving the living standards and promoting international development but also approaching these challenges in a sustainable way. One of the projects of the Wuppertal Institute, called WISIONS, covered exactly these struggles. We really liked the idea of approaching problems in a holistic way. For instance in a case of a local, green energy transition project in South America, Ulu Papar (Hydro Empowerment Network) there is always first a discussion with the local people and also a detailed analysis needs to be made before the plan is being developed. It was also useful to hear the challenges and the difficulties the researchers and the project coordinators faced, and how they can overcome those challenges. For example, in order to get good and long-term results they highlighted the importance of providing not only the tools but the knowledge to these local projects.
I believe that in the end we could say “yes” to both questions we had in the beginning. It was very inspiring to see how the Institute works and on how many levels they are working on climate, environment and sustainability-related issues and how they can cooperate with other organizations on the international level. Hearing these experiences and seeing the professionalism and enthusiasm of the researchers, because it made us hope that more sustainable solutions and ideas will be developed and implemented in the world – regardless of their current state of development.
Helge Lindh
It can be quite hard to be positive about the status quo, the lack of action from stakeholders and countries is frustrating and many times infuriating. Meeting with the newly elected member of the Bundestag for Wuppertal Helge Lindh we sensed that even individuals with a large support from society as him can be just as in a tight spot as any climate activist or environmentalist in our own common bubble. No topic leads to an easy solution or plan, because democracy demands the acknowledgment of contrasting views and values even if they endanger the existence and survival of humans and the preservation of natural environments and their biodiversity. That is why it is so important to join forces with other like minded people or parties, thus having a larger possibility of achieving positive change.
In our discussion Mr Lindh didn’t seem that hopeful of his country successfully fulfilling its duties to its people and the world they have historically affected and scared by imprudent business and development decisions. Germany’s new elections bid the alliance of the Liberal, Green and Social Democratic parties, a combination that brings doubt to many and hope to some. The Liberal party has time and time again shown to be an opposition to the Green party’s wishes, therefore it isn’t unfair to suggest that such ideologically contrasting parties may pose a threat to progresive policy changes in Germany and its states. But all is unsure until enough time has passed to objectively evaluate the new government's decided and initiated social, economical and political direction.
Food of the future
Have you ever wondered, how our food will be grown in the future? Where will it be grown and how will farms look like? I have wondered what the future of food production will bring us, therefore visited the Climate Quarter Arrenberg in Wuppertal, in the north-western part of Germany.
Sustainability is a big part of my everyday life. I could even say, that it is no longer just a lifestyle or a way I see the world, but rather my main values. In a constantly changing world, I always seek ideas, that fullfill my main values, but not all of the sustainability projects I come across intrigue me as much as the aquaponic urban farming of Climate Quarter Arrenberg did. I not only found myself fascinated and amazed by their work, I actually felt hopeful for our future. So what is so amazing in this urban farm project, that got me so excited about it? I will start from the beginning.
The Arrenberg Farm project seeks to implement a modern, cycle-based food production facility in the middle of Wuppertal which is intended to help save water as a resource and, at the same time, to supply the valley dwellers with fresh and healthy food. True to the motto “close the loop - new urban food”, a cycle-based model of food production is sought in order to deal with precious resources as efficiently and carefully as possible.
Until the end of 2021 they now have the opportunity to develop the feasibility study of an urban farm together with their cooperation partners and with the support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
This farm is happy to find its place on the railway wasteland, where the locals are able to see it. However, since this area has also been involved in planning by the railway itself in the past two years, it remains uncertain for the time being whether this will be feasible. Therefore, other areas and types of buildings are also considered.
The production cycle is started on the basis of biologically usable secondary raw materials, water and energy, and the connection to fish and plants is established through insect breeding. The cycle can be expanded by adding possible modules such as the breeding of crustaceans. The green waste that arises at the end can be returned to the beginning and finally complete the cycle: close the loop!
The concept follows 2 premises: From each production step, both contributions to the human food chain and raw materials for the next production step should be derived.
In order to produce as sustainably as possible, every production step and every incoming and outgoing material should be used as efficiently and resource-conserving as possible within the cycle-based system. In order to consistently further develop the idea of re, parallel and multiple use of raw materials, the production cycle is started on the basis of biologically usable secondary raw materials, water and energy and valuable resources are put into a new context.
In order to contribute to climate neutrality, to break up existing logistics chains and to be accessible to consumers, the urban farm brings the place of production as close as possible to the place of consumption.
This enables and at the same time requires cooperation with restaurants, resellers and processing trades as well as circular material flows and logistics processes that link all participants and consumers with one another.
The previous linear material flows from the country to the city are no longer necessary. The production cycles of urban farms act as engines to drive a cyclical flow of raw materials between urban and rural areas.
A wide range of products and the local production of new urban food are in tune with the times. Mega trends in neo-ecology such as slow culture, urban farming, zero waste or the bio boom are more than temporary currents and shape a rapid change towards a growing circular economy.
New urban food connects global trend developments and consistently thinks ahead. Urban production is the logical continuation of the regional trend towards the emerging buy-local movement. Coupling these trends with a circular process improves the ecological balance of urban structures. Short and dynamic supply chains are not only ecologically beneficial, they also increase systemic resilience and preserve the nutrient content of the products. This strengthens consumer confidence and ties purchasing power in the region.
Under the research project entitled CLOSE THE LOOP - new urban food, a holistic, expanded concept of a production cycle is to be created that ensures sustainable food production in the city on an ecological, economic and social level at the same time.
Collected knowledge and insights gained are processed and made variously accessible both internally and externally. This ensures a broad exchange of expertise and the involvement of diverse actors.
The established knowledge architecture as well as the developed simulation tools, CI and economic criteria are summarized in a blueprint. This feasibility study is used after the project to scale the concept within the region and beyond.
Being there and listening to their work is not the only thing they do. Their whole quarter was a live example of hos sustainable lifestyle can be implemented into a workspace and even create a very cosy atmosphere. They not only create ideas for the future, they live it. In other words – they are the ones who walk their talk and that is what I, as a young activist, look for. Their holistic view on the ongoing problems and their solutions are what I wouls call unique, since there are not so many projects out there who see the problems we face in a loop of solutions.
My best wishes for their work. I hope that I will be able to fullfill my food needs with a sustainable urban farm production.