Über die Würde der Gletscher

"On the Dignity of Glaciers" is a poignant essay by Johannes Schmidl that addresses the challenges imposed on humanity and our planet. The author, a physicist and expert in renewable energy, combines personal experiences with profound reflections on the necessity of a radical energy transition. Schmidl begins his narrative with a poetic depiction of a nighttime ascent of an Alpine peak, immersing the reader in the silence and majesty of nature. Throughout the essay, he advocates for the use of renewable energy sources, which, unlike fossil fuels, cannot be monopolized and are therefore accessible to all. Schmidl conveys a message of hope and change without falling into naive utopianism. His work is both a reflection on current ecological challenges and a call to action to shape a sustainable future.