Sustainable Society Index (SSI)

Achieving net-zero by 2050 depends on Earth's natural carbon sinks. 🌍🌿 The graphic below highlights the immense carbon storage capacity of ecosystems like forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Forests alone absorb 15.6 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually — but deforestation and disturbances are releasing billions of tons back into the atmosphere. Preserving these ecosystems is key to combating climate change. #SSI #sciencematters #datamatters

Every year on the third Saturday of October we celebrate International Repair Day, a day dedicated to promoting the culture of repair and sustainability. This year this day will take place on the 19th of October. Launched by the Open Repair Alliance, this day highlights the importance of fixing and reusing items to reduce waste and combat our throwaway culture. In an age where mass production encourages the quick replacement of broken goods, repair offers a solution that benefits both the planet and our pockets. By choosing to repair rather than discard, we conserve resources, cut down on the extraction of raw materials, and significantly reduce carbon emissions tied to manufacturing and disposal processes. Communities around the world participate for example through repair events or workshops, making repair accessible to all. From DIY enthusiasts to professionals, this day celebrates the skills and knowledge needed to bring items back to life. You want to join this day? Though the link you can acess a map to find an event that is close to you: https://lnkd.in/e9vuFYM6. Babette Julia Brinkmann , Susann Kowalski and wolfgang veit #SSI #datamatters #sciencematters

Happy to share insights from a recent training conducted by one of our authors. It highlighted how real-world challenges often defy academic boundaries, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address #sustainability issues. #ssi, #datamatters, #transdisciplinarity, Susann Kowalski

Germany’s forests, covering one-third of the country (11.5 million hectares), are vital for our environment, economy, and society. The 2022 Federal Forest Inventory, the fourth of its kind, analyzed forest conditions and is therefore providing crucial data for political, societal, and economic decisions. Since 2012, forested area has slightly increased, with pine (22%), spruce (21%), beech (17%), and oak (12%) being the most common species. However, droughts since 2018 and the ongoing bark beetle crisis have led to significant losses in spruce stocks. Forests remain a critical carbon sink in Germany, storing 1,184 million tons of carbon in living trees and 46.1 million tons in deadwood. Yet, since 2017, the carbon stock has declined by 3%, turning forests into a carbon source between 2017 and 2022. To find out more read the whole article of the federal forest invetory here: https://lnkd.in/ei9JMFjV Babette Julia Brinkmann , Susann Kowalski and wolfgang veit #SSI #sciencematters #datamatters

Raising awareness about biodiversity loss is crucial, and Biodiversity Stripes does just that through simple, impactful visuals. These color bands represent the decline in biodiversity over time, making complex data accessible to all. The larger the decline the darker the grey. #SSI #datamatters #sciencematters

We're happy to share with you this topic that is close to the heart of one of our members. Click on the post below to watch the video. #ssi, #siencematters, #datamatters

Today we celebrate #ZeroEmissionDay 🌿 This day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to reduce global emissions and combat climate change. Initiated in 2008 by Ken Wallace, a Canadian environmentalist, September the 21st is used to encourage people around the world to minimize their energy consumption. Greenhouse gases like CO₂ are responsible for over 75% of global warming. According to the IPCC , to limit global warming to 1.5°C, we must cut global emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. 🚶♂️ Simple actions like walking or cycling instead of driving, reducing energy consumption for example by trunig off unnecessary lights, or using renewable energy sources can help us reduce our individual carbon footprints. Each ton of CO₂ we avoid can help in the fight against climate change. If you want fo find out more about this topic you can check the website of the IPCC here: https://lnkd.in/daG_Qknt Babette Julia Brinkmann , Susann Kowalski and wolfgang veit #SSI #datamatters #sciencematters

Natural carbon sinks play a crucial role in combating climate change. These ecosystems absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, helping to reduce greenhouse gas levels. Protecting and restoring these natural carbon sinks is essential for mitigating global warming and achieving a sustainable future. Babette Julia Brinkmann , Susann Kowalski and wolfgang veit #SSI #sciencematters #datamatters

🌍Today is Earth Overshoot Day, which marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources in a year exceeds what earth can regenerate in that year. In the past decades this day was reached earlier each year, indicating that humanity's consumption of ecological resources is accelerating the ecological deficit and stressing the planet's capacity to regenerate. The Global Footprint Network has an informative page where you can learn more about Earth Overshoot Day, including historical overshoot dates and country-specific dates. Visit: https://lnkd.in/eKwUTwMX Babette Julia Brinkmann , Susann Kowalski and wolfgang veit #sciencematters #datamatters

Climate change is the real issue, not those protesting against it❗️ Five individuals are on trial for conspiracy after nonviolent climate protests that targeted a public Zoom meeting, highlighting a major injustice. The UK climate activists were given record prison sentences of 4 and 5 years. While some may focus on the disruptions caused by climate protests, it's crucial to remember that these demonstrations are a response to the urgent and severe threat of climate change itself. We need to address the root cause and take immediate action to mitigate its effects for a sustainable future. Denied the chance to explain their actions, the activists faced harsher penalties than many serious offenders. The UN has condemned the verdict as a dark day for peaceful protest. Read the full open Letter, which was already signed by many climate experts here: https://lnkd.in/dU2RfHhb The 'Support The Whole Truth Five' campaign seeks to support the legal defense of those five people that were arrestet, arguing that their actions highlighted the urgent need for climate action. Donations will help cover legal costs and support their families during the trial. To support the cause, visit: https://lnkd.in/dM-st_jR. For more information visit: https://lnkd.in/dpyMndJR https://lnkd.in/dUXwnVr9 Babette Julia Brinkmann , Susann Kowalski and wolfgang veit #sciencematters #datamatters