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Elevate Interview: Helga Kromp-Kolb

Helga Kromp-Kolb, Austrian meterologist and climate researcher, in an Elevate-Interview about the Festival theme Human Nature.

Helga Kromp-Kolb joins the Elevate Festival 2020 via livestream in the discussion about "Climate Emergency - Whats Next?" on Saturday, 07.03.2020.

Free entry at the Festival location Forum Stadtpark! -> Full programme info.

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Elevate's festival theme 2020 is "Human Nature". What's your second thought about it?

We´d better get started on that topic. We´ll need to understand human nature better to solve the huge challenge of transforming society.
 

And your first?

Wow – how ambitious! There is little we know less about and yet are confronted with it on a daily basis .
 

Quo Vadis Humanity? In 2009 Elevate's main theme was the climate crisis. 10 years have passed. Whats your take on the next 10?

Either we have solved the problem or the problem has changed profoundly: No more a question of stabilizing climate, but one of coping with continuous warming
 

The relationship of humans and technology - more reasons to be pessimistic or optimistic? Can you name some?

If we continue to let technological innovation happen, as driven by economic profit, they view must be pessimistic. If, however, we mange to install a reasonable governance, loose our awe of technology and begin to see it just as tool it can be a significant part of the solution. The prime example is digitalization in all it´s shapes, variations and applications.


And our relationship with nature? Of course we are "part of it", but....where are we going?

Acting as though there were no problem or just talking about doing something will lead us to catastrophe – faster than we think. But there is still a slim chance of prospering within ecological boundaries …
 

"Psycho-spiritual crisis", "a psychotic society",... How bad is the status quo of humanity?

Worse than any of us dares to imagine. The doomsday clock, risk reports by the world economic forum, by military units, by the IPOCC, the IPBES, scientists – all indicate the same, but we do not seem to be able to grasp what we are seing, nor believe what we know to betrue.
 

A message to the Elevate Festival community? What can we do?

Let´s face reality and enhance our endeavors to turn the tide.


Elevate features many amazing artists in the music & arts programme. Can we meet you on the Dancefloor too?

That’s difficult in virtual space, but I am not a good dancer anyway ….

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Helga Kromp-Kolb joins the Elevate Festival 2020 via livestream in the discussion about "Climate Emergency - Whats Next?" on Saturday, 07.03.2020.

Free entry at the Festival location Forum Stadtpark! -> Full programme info.

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