TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Citizen participation in the long-term process of high-level radioactive waste disposal: Future tasks and adequate forms of participation
Get PDFThe central importance of public participation in the search for a repository site for high-level radioactive waste is already recognized both in Germany and in other countries. In this paper, we argue that public participation will have to play a role after site selection as well, especially in the political and sociotechnical decisions in the next stages of the final disposal process. The form of citizen participation should correspond to the specific tasks and follow the principles of safety and justice. In order to show in which cases these principles apply and which form of participation would then be appropriate, we analyze three aspects of participation (co-determination, co-design, and involvement) and look at two cases: the decision on the sealing of the repository and the design of compensations.The central importance of public participation in the search for a repository site for high-level radioactive waste is already recognized both in Germany and in other countries. In this paper, we argue that public participation will have to play a role after site selection as well, especially in the political and sociotechnical decisions in the next stages of the final disposal process. The form of citizen participation should correspond to the specific tasks and follow the principles of safety and justice. In order to show in which cases these principles apply and which form of participation would then be appropriate, we analyze three aspects of participation (co-determination, co-design, and involvement) and look at two cases: the decision on the sealing of the repository and the design of compensations
Chances and perspectives of technology assessment in education
Get PDFTechnology assessment (TA) occurs in a variety of educational contexts, its content and methods can contribute to dealing with socially relevant issues from different perspectives across disciplinary boundaries. However, the transdisciplinarity of TA raises the question in which educational contexts TA perspectives are introduced and how educational processes can be effectively structured and strengthened. This issue therefore addresses both perspectives: practice in various trans- and interdisciplinary educational contexts, as well as TA’s own educational practice.Technology assessment (TA) occurs in a variety of educational contexts, its content and methods can contribute to dealing with socially relevant issues from different perspectives across disciplinary boundaries. However, the transdisciplinarity of TA raises the question in which educational contexts TA perspectives are introduced and how educational processes can be effectively structured and strengthened. This issue therefore addresses both perspectives: practice in various trans- and interdisciplinary educational contexts, as well as TA’s own educational practice
Energy sufficiency: Conceptual considerations, modeling, and scenarios for less energy consumption
Get PDFThe war in Ukraine is changing the political landscape at breakneck speed. How should politics and society react to high energy prices and a precarious dependence on fossil fuels imports? Can modern societies get by with much less energy? Energy sufficiency can play an important role in answering these questions. The contributions in this Special topic explore sufficiency as an interdisciplinary research topic for energy modeling, scenarios, and policy.The war in Ukraine is changing the political landscape at breakneck speed. How should politics and society react to high energy prices and a precarious dependence on fossil fuels imports? Can modern societies get by with much less energy? Energy sufficiency can play an important role in answering these questions. The contributions in this Special topic explore sufficiency as an interdisciplinary research topic for energy modeling, scenarios, and policy
Transition pathways for the European building sector: Comparison of environmental savings from sufficiency, consistency, and efficiency measures
Get PDFThis article addresses the lack of data about the environmental savings potential of sufficiency measures in the European building sector by using the EUCalc tool. The savings potentials of different sufficiency, consistency, and efficiency measures in the impact categories greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and renewable as well as non-renewable resources are calculated. With sufficiency measures, a total of 16% of GHG emissions can be saved compared to an EU past trends scenario. Efficiency and consistency measures save 31% and 22%, respectively. The most effective sufficiency measure is a reduction of living space per capita. The results vary between the impact categories studied.This article addresses the lack of data about the environmental savings potential of sufficiency measures in the European building sector by using the EUCalc tool. The savings potentials of different sufficiency, consistency, and efficiency measures in the impact categories greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and renewable as well as non-renewable resources are calculated. With sufficiency measures, a total of 16% of GHG emissions can be saved compared to an EU past trends scenario. Efficiency and consistency measures save 31% and 22%, respectively. The most effective sufficiency measure is a reduction of living space per capita. The results vary between the impact categories studied
Human dignity and lethal autonomous weapon systems: A Christian ethical positioning from a Catholic point of view
Get PDFThis article analyses the ethical debate over the use of lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) by exploring, from a Catholic perspective, how Christian ethics can position itself in this discussion. Since humanity will not be able to avoid wars in the future, ideas of justified use of armed force (in self-defense), but also of appropriateness of defensive weapon systems, remain important issues. Based on the so-called ‘protection rationale,’ proponents hold that autonomous weapon systems (AWS) can shield one’s own forces while reducing the damage inflicted upon the enemy. Opponents seek to ban AWS categorically, especially LAWS. The moral dilemmas and ethical dimensions involved make LAWS a genuine subject for technology assessment in terms of the technology’s consequences for humanity, dignity, and coexistence.This article analyses the ethical debate over the use of lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) by exploring, from a Catholic perspective, how Christian ethics can position itself in this discussion. Since humanity will not be able to avoid wars in the future, ideas of justified use of armed force (in self-defense), but also of appropriateness of defensive weapon systems, remain important issues. Based on the so-called ‘protection rationale,’ proponents hold that autonomous weapon systems (AWS) can shield one’s own forces while reducing the damage inflicted upon the enemy. Opponents seek to ban AWS categorically, especially LAWS. The moral dilemmas and ethical dimensions involved make LAWS a genuine subject for technology assessment in terms of the technology’s consequences for humanity, dignity, and coexistence
Meeting report: “Problems and solutions for decarbonisation and energy transition”. Conference, 2021 (online)
Get PDFProsuming – energy sufficiency and rebound effects: Climate impact of changing household consumption patterns in Germany
Get PDFChanges in energy consumption patterns after becoming a prosumer household are rarely associated with negative environmental effects, as prosuming is intuitively assumed to be emission-reducing. This paper demonstrates the importance of sufficiency-oriented energy prosumer behavior for climate neutrality goals by quantifying GHG emissions for photovoltaic (PV) prosumers at the German household and energy system level. Based on the results, recommendations are derived for promoting energy sufficiency in prosumer households.Changes in energy consumption patterns after becoming a prosumer household are rarely associated with negative environmental effects, as prosuming is intuitively assumed to be emission-reducing. This paper demonstrates the importance of sufficiency-oriented energy prosumer behavior for climate neutrality goals by quantifying GHG emissions for photovoltaic (PV) prosumers at the German household and energy system level. Based on the results, recommendations are derived for promoting energy sufficiency in prosumer households