Markus Lanz (ZDF): One guest breaks the collar when it comes to nuclear power

Markus Lanz (ZDF) is about climate change. But when the topic of nuclear power comes up, the tatters fly.

Hamburg – On the occasion of the World Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, Markus Lanz shed light on the future topic par excellence in his ZDF talk: climate change. The science journalist Harald Lesch, the investor and entrepreneur Frank Thelen, the professor for building technology Lamia Messari-Becker and the economic expert Marcel Fratzscher will discuss.

The mix of guests, except for Messari-Becker, promises little new, but opens the door to many aspects such as the role of new technologies in the energy transition, future living and the economic consequences of climate change. There is consensus on the goal of mitigating global warming, but opinions differ on the best way to get there.

Markus Lanz (ZDF): Physicist Harald Lesch is panting

To get started, Lanz sets out the climate issue very fundamentally on ZDF. The physicist Harald Lesch sees the high energy consumption, which he describes as “energetic obesity”, as a primary problem. In this regard, Frank Thelen is relying on further investments in solar energy, wind power and innovative methods of electricity storage. Thelen’s optimism when it comes to further new inventions does not meet with all-round enthusiasm: his speculation about a process that filters CO2 out of the air causes Lesch to puff – in general, the science journalist suggests a certain fatalism. With the scarcity of raw materials, Messari-Becker refers to another aspect of structural change and calls for a circular economy.

The economist Fratzscher explains that the changes necessary to achieve the climate goals come with costs such as a higher CO2 price. “Politics should pour pure wine” – and relieve people with low incomes. Lamia Messari-Becker complains that some experts “belittle” the problems and challenges of the climate crisis, which costs valuable time. Lesch thinks there is a lot of talk about climate change, but society is not prepared for the “huge transformation”.

Markus Lanz (ZDF): The topic of nuclear power divides spirits

When it comes to nuclear power, the otherwise factual talk with Markus Lanz gets a bit heated in the meantime. Frank Thelen sees fourth generation nuclear power as a bridging possibility and hopes for a future solution to nuclear waste. “We need new breakthroughs,” says Thelen, citing energy generation by nuclear fusion with solar energy as an example. As far as future waiver is concerned, the investor refers to the enormous energy consumption through the consumption of meat and fish. “We should actually get rid of the currywurst,” says Thelen. “We have to die some death.” Marcel Fratzscher, on the other hand, sees nuclear power as a “wrong path”, which is also too expensive compared to wind power. Messari-Becker states that the discussion about nuclear power in Germany is “very moralizing” – and calls the leaving behind of nuclear waste “irresponsible” in the sense of intergenerational justice.

The future of living and the role of energetic building renovations will also be discussed at Lanz on ZDF. Messari-Becker explains the impossibility of an all-inclusive solution for energy-efficient living because the energy infrastructure in the existing house is set up very differently. By combining several houses in the district management, common solutions could be found. The expert sees car sharing models as a good option for urban traffic.

Finally, the economist Marcel Fratzscher once again agrees with the high investments that will be necessary for climate policy. “We talk too little about the costs of climate change,” says Fratzscher. In any case, it is better to invest now than in ten or fifteen years, when the problems are even greater. “From an economic point of view, we still have a chance to get around the curve.” (Christian Horn)