Current environmental crises such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity in sensitive habitats, and the reduction of natural resources ask for new approaches to the energy transition. These challenges have technical, environmental and social components, and therefore the energy transition requires interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration across disciplines. Therefore, the summer school adopts an interdisciplinary approach and challenges the participants to think beyond their own perspectives and fields to explore different aspects regarding community engagement, public participation, and citizen empowerment in relation to the solutions for the energy transition on Ameland Island from the Wadden Sea.
The summer school is built around a challenge proposed by the Ameland Energy Cooperative, which will be shared at the start of the Summer School. More information about the role and work of the Ameland Energy Cooperative and the sustainability challenges they are dealing with, but also about the projects and initiatives they work on, you will find out about during a one-day field trip to the Ameland island. Because there is no one-size-fits-all solution for any challenge in the energy sector, in the following days, the participants will have introductory lectures given by experts and lecturers from the different faculties in relation to different fields (e.g. law, social sciences, spatial planning, law, environmental sciences, etc.) that are relevant to the development of integrative and sustainable approaches and solutions.
Since a variety of participants with different backgrounds and knowledge levels are welcome to join, the participants will receive reading material and are encouraged to discuss with each other their own findings. Throughout the Summer School, the participants will work together in smaller interdisciplinary groups on the challenge. At the end of the Summer School, the participants will submit and present their solutions to the entire group and to the Ameland Energy Cooperative.
This summer school is linked to the Master Environmental Psychology as well as the Master Energy and Climate Law.
For more information click here.