Invitation to the lecture: Jens Beckert – Is society failing in the fight against climate change? What specific conclusions can be drawn from this?

Wednesday, 5th February at 8 p.m.
at the Hotel Parc Belle-Vue, 5, av. Marie-Thérèse, Luxembourg
We offer simultaneous translation from German into English.
“Why are societies unable to stop climate change?” This is the central question in Jens Beckert’s book “Sold Future”.
Although the dangers of global warming have been known for decades, global emissions continue to rise. Beckert explains this failure through the power and incentive structures of corporations, politicians, voters, and consumers: “We are selling our future for quarterly figures, election results, and immediate pleasures.”
Using numerous examples, Beckert illustrates why climate change is a “treacherous” problem that capitalist modernity can hardly overcome. He warns of rising temperatures and increasing social conflicts, calling for adaptability, resilience, and solidarity.
In his lecture, Beckert will present his analysis and approaches for a “realistic” climate policy—providing a foundation for lively discussions.
He warns: “The survival of civilization is at risk.” A world warmed by more than 2 degrees would cost prosperity and threaten democratic systems.
After the event, we warmly invite you to join us for a reception.
Jens Beckert, born in 1967, is a director at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies and a professor of sociology in Cologne.
He has previously taught in Göttingen, New York, Princeton, Paris and at Harvard University, among other places. In 2005, he was awarded the Prize of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and in 2018 he received the Leibniz Prize from the German Research Foundation.
In 2018, he received the Karl Polanyi Prize from the German Sociological Association for his book ‘Imaginierte Zukunft. Fiktionale Erwartungen und die Dynamik des Kapitalismus’, published by Suhrkamp Verlag. He is the author of the recently published and highly acclaimed book ‘How We Sold Our Future – The Failure to Fight Climate Change’. |
Please register at meco@oeko.lu by 3 February to help us with the organisation. The number of places is limited.
You can find the invitation in the downloads here.