Education Conference on the Future of Climate Protection: Focus on CDR

To achieve our climate goals, we need to explore new approaches and gain a deep understanding of the ways to remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. How can we integrate these pressing yet complex societal issues—such as carbon dioxide removal—into classroom and extracurricular instruction? That is the focus of today’s education conference organized by the CDRterra research program, which kicks off today at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

As the first nationwide education conference on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere, this event brings together scientists and educators to jointly advance climate education in schools. The participants already agree on one thing: climate protection and sustainability must be an integral part of education. After all, schools, colleges, and universities play a central role in democracies, as society is represented there in all its diversity. The conference is organized by the CDRterra research program, which investigates land-based CO₂ removal methods. It is coordinated at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
“It has been clear, at least since the Fridays for Future movement, that climate change is a burning issue for many students. Interest and motivation are the best prerequisites for learning—especially when dealing with technically challenging questions that don’t have easy answers,” says Prof. Dr. Imke Hoppe, coordinator of the education conference and professor of science communication and climate education at LMU Munich.

Preparing complex questions related to carbon dioxide removal for classroom instruction

The topic offers many opportunities for classroom instruction. During a field trip to a reforested forest, its important role in climate protection becomes clear, as do the associated land-use conflicts: How can agriculture be organized differently? In the lab, experiments demonstrate how plants can help reduce CO₂. What is it okay for humans to experiment with in nature—and what is not? The list of exciting questions surrounding the topic of CO₂ removal for educational purposes is long and spans various subjects: from chemistry to physics, from computer science to ethics and philosophy. In university education, for example, the focus is on “entrepreneurship education”—that is, teaching the skills needed to start one’s own business—because CDR also offers new opportunities for the economy.

The learning of the future takes place on an equal footing

“We must move away from the idea that we go to school to receive ready-made answers. Or—from a teacher’s perspective—that we must provide ready-made answers. When we address current research topics, we teach and learn above all to understand complex content, weigh conflicting goals, and shift perspectives. Learning in the future—just like shaping the future—takes place collaboratively and on equal footing,” emphasizes Dr. Katrin Geneuss, director of the CDRterra education program at LMU.

No Greenhouse Gas Neutrality Without CO₂ Removal

To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, drastic emissions reductions alone are no longer enough. Carbon dioxide must also be actively removed from the atmosphere. This is the scientific consensus.
There are various methods for “Carbon Dioxide Removal” (CDR)—ranging from reforestation and specialized filtration systems to artificial photosynthesis. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, interactions, and conflicting objectives. Over 100 scientists are researching these methods as part of the CDRterra research program.
“However, many people have not even heard of such CDR methods. Others associate them with great fears, and still others reject CDR research altogether, as they believe it undermines the motivation to reduce emissions. That is why it is important for scientific findings to find their way directly into society—especially in schools and educational institutions. This way, we can equip the next generation with the knowledge to participate in the discussion and shape the future themselves,” says Prof. Dr. Julia Pongratz, CDRterra spokesperson and head of the Department of Geography at LMU Munich.

Objectives of the CDR Education Conference

Under the theme “Developing perspectives, testing teaching and learning formats, designing lessons,” teachers from all subject areas and school types, student teachers, school administrators, and stakeholders from teacher education and extracurricular education will gather at the CDR Education Conference. It is one of the three central pillars of the “CDR Dialogue 2023.” The goal of this three-day dialogue event is to bring together stakeholders from academia, business, politics, and education to place the topic of “Carbon Dioxide Removal” on the social and (education) policy agenda. In addition to the Education Conference, two other specialized conferences will take place: the “CDR Stakeholder Workshop” to engage stakeholders, and the “CDR Science Workshop” for scientific exchange within the CDRterra research program.

Information: CDR-Bildungskonferenz & CDR-Dialog 2023 

About CDRterra

In the CDRterra research program, more than 100 researchers are working on ten collaborative projects to investigate how and to what extent land-based CO₂ removal methods can help mitigate climate change. The goal is to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework for CDR methods and portfolios. This framework is intended to serve as a knowledge base upon which a sensible mix of CO₂ removal methods for Germany can be developed. CDRterra is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with approximately 21 million euros for an initial period of three years. It launched in October 2021 and is coordinated by Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Prof. Dr. Imke Hoppe and Dr. Katrin Geneuss, along with the climate scientists from the CDRterra research program, are available for interviews.

Press Contact:

Karin Adolph
PR Manager, CDRterra

Telefon: 089 21806594
karin.adolph@lmu.de