Our solutions for socially responsible climate protection
Although Jenny has work, she is finding it more and more difficult to get by financially. Properly implemented climate protection would help her and all those with little money in day-to-day life. A lot will be gained if these four solution proposals from Caritas are implemented:
We need energy-efficient building renovation for subsidised housing
We dedicate ourselves to also making affordable and subsidised housing well insulated in order to save energy overall. This benefits climate protection and the people who live in such housing. Heat insulation in affordable housing must not lead to these flats becoming too expensive after the renovation work. Otherwise, people with little money will be forced to leave their homes. In this regard, policy-makers urgently need to create fair framework conditions.
We need better and more affordable local public transit
Those who have little money normally don’t own a car and are dependent on buses and trains. Every step towards new mobility is therefore a real improvement in the day-to-day lives of poorer people and an important contribution to climate protection. If bus and train connections are further extended and the frequency of the schedule is increased, those who cannot afford a car will have an easier time getting where they’re going. For all the people we dedicate ourselves to, this means actual relief and consequently more personal freedom.
Wealthy people should do more to protect the climate
Climate protection will only succeed if the wealthiest portion of the population makes a greater commitment. These people often have a high level of climate awareness - but are the main cause of climate change. The people Caritas dedicates itself to do not fly around the world, they do not live in large homes with high energy consumption because they cannot afford any of that. They do not own a car, and they already use buses and trains. The greatest savings potentials are found amongst rich people.
We need global climate protection
The impacts of the climate crisis can be felt the world over. While the energy crisis is affecting poorer households in particular here in Germany, people in the Global South struggle with ongoing drought, water scarcity and the consequent loss of crops. Effective climate protection helps to relieve this poverty. As one of the leading industrial nations, Germany has caused a considerable portion of the damage to the climate worldwide as a result of its history of economic success. It is therefore our responsibility to set an example and advance climate protection wholeheartedly.