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  • © 2014

Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker

A Pioneer on Environmental, Climate and Energy Policies

  • This anthology covers a unique range of courageously formulated subjects by a single author
  • His university proposal of 1972 suggested modularized curricula - partly preempting the Bologna reforms and emphasizing interdisciplinary studies and qualifications
  • The "Factor Five" concept is one of the boldest ideas to date for avoiding dangerous climate change
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs on Pioneers in Science and Practice (BRIEFSPIONEER, volume 28)

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Table of contents (19 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
  2. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Autobiographical Sketch

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker
      Pages 2-6
    3. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker’s Selected Publications

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker
      Pages 7-17
  3. Key Texts by Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 18-19
    2. Modular University

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Irene Kehler
      Pages 21-33
    3. The Environmental Dimension of Biotechnology

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker
      Pages 57-65
    4. Earth Politics

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker
      Pages 86-97
    5. Ecological Tax Reform

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Jochen Jesinghaus
      Pages 99-118
    6. Factor Four: Doubling Wealth—Halving Resource Use: A New Report to the Club of Rome

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Amory B. Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins
      Pages 127-141
    7. Eco-Efficiency Goals: Factor Four or Factor Ten

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker
      Pages 143-147
    8. Globalization and Its Challenges to Democracy and Development

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker
      Pages 158-165
    9. Limits to Privatization

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Oran Young, Matthias Finger
      Pages 167-177
    10. Information, Evolution, and ‘Error-Friendliness’

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Christine von Weizsäcker
      Pages 178-191
    11. Factor Five: Transforming the Global Economy Through 80 % Improvements in Resource Productivity

      • Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Karlson ‘Charlie’ Hargroves, Michael H. Smith, Cheryl Desha, Peter Stasinopoulos
      Pages 192-213

About this book

On the occasion of the 75th birthday of Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker this unique anthology presents thought-provoking texts from 1970 to 2013, spanning several disciplines and combining science and practice. Among them are three Reports to the Club of Rome that Weizsäcker lead-authored, a new university curriculum system to promote interdisciplinary studies and a proposal for a five-fold increase in resource productivity, which would make it possible to shut down nuclear and fossil power plants, avoiding dangerous climate change impacts. Weizsäcker is Co-President of the Club of Rome and Co-Chair of UNEP’s Resource Panel. He has served as a Professor of Biology, President of Kassel Univ., Director of the UN Centre for Science and Technology and of the Institute for European Environment Policy, President of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, as a Member of the Bundestag, as Chair of its Environment Committee and as Dean of the Bren School for Environmental Science and Management, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, USA.

Editors and Affiliations

  • University of Freiburg, Emmendingen, Germany

    Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access