Dear members, dear friends,
As we enter the year 2025, we would like to send you our warmest greetings and share some thoughts with you for the new year.
Climate change remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time, it is a core humanist issue: not only because we live a world view that goes hand in hand with responsibility for our fellow creatures and natural resources, but also because we see time and again that climate protection policy is not yet linked consistently enough with the issue of social justice. For us, the specific question is how we can shape climate protection and social responsibility in such a way that all people can participate in a sustainable future.
As humanists, we have a responsibility to actively help shape the necessary change towards a climate-friendly life. After all, it is those who already have little who feel the consequences of climate change the most. Rising energy costs, environmental pollution and economic uncertainty are exacerbating social inequalities. Counteracting this is not only a political but also a moral obligation.
Within the Climate Alliance Germany, of which we are currently applying for membership, central demands such as the introduction of a climate money, the reduction of climate-damaging subsidies and the increase of living social benefits are on the agenda. These measures are not only necessary, they also embody our humanist values: a fair distribution of the burden of climate protection is crucial so that no one is left alone in a time of change.
We can also do more within our association to promote socially just climate protection. What can we contribute in concrete terms? One inspiring example is the Caritas energy-saving check program, which helps low-income households to save energy. Our new animal ethics working group will also be able to provide impetus as to how animal welfare and climate protection can be considered together, explicitly also for those who have little(er). One idea that brings all this together could be a “climate advisory service” that complements our existing services and opens up new avenues for sustainable engagement. We are sure that further ideas will emerge in our regional associations that promote climate and environmentally conscious as well as socially just action.
Our humanistic perspective offers an important impetus here: climate protection is not just a responsibility towards future generations. It is also an opportunity to create justice in the here and now.
We look forward to your creativity, your energy and your drive, and we look forward to shaping this path together with you.
We wish you a healthy, fulfilling and inspiring 2025, despite all the challenges. Let’s tackle change creatively together, in the spirit of Einstein: “
Sincerely
Your Federal Executive Board
Katrin Raczynski, Christiane Herrmann, Christian Lührs, Thomas Fehse, Andrée Gerland
