Panel discussion: No jobs on a dead planet - socio-ecological transformation using the example of Wintershall Dea

At the end of 2023, BASF announced that it would sell its subsidiary Wintershall Dea and close the site in Kassel. For around 600 employees in Kassel, this means that they will soon lose their jobs. Climate activists have long denounced the fact that the fossil gas company Wintershall has no future in times of climate crisis. And that gas production is already endangering lives, the environment and local jobs in the production regions.

While some largely want to hold on to the gas industry and the jobs in it, others are pushing for a quick gas exit. Using Wintershall in Kassel as an example, we want to shed light on this dilemma and broaden our perspective:

How do we deal with the challenges of a socially and ecologically compatible, locally and globally just restructuring of the energy industry?What is the position of trade unions and climate activists? What (joint) perspectives are there for a socio-ecological transformation?

In discussion:

Dr. Regina Weber, Head of Industry Transformation, Foundation Work and Environment (IGBCE)

Ruth Krohn, research associate for socio-ecological industrial policy, BUND

Mira Jäger, energy expert, Greenpeace

Moderation: Prof. Dr. Kristina Dietz, University of Kassel

The event will be held in spoken German, with whispered English translation if required. It is organized by students from the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kassel.

The idea for the panel discussion came about as part of the exhibition "Sacrifice Zone - Wintershall Traces in Vaca Muerta". The exhibition can be seen in Kassel until June 28: https://sacrificezone-ausstellung.de/