SONGS

This symposium taught me more about the Berlin wall than any history class I have taken. It was very interesting to learn this information, especially from someone who was actually there to experience it. Overall I found the topics very interesting. One observation I took away from this presentation is the effects that belief systems have on everything around us. Connecting believing in climate change to some other "identity" while there is so much distrust in climate change research from "other identities". Ideologies influence large portions of people's lives, and will continue to encompass more and more "identity" details as identity politics and culture wars continue.

The concept of adopting climate action as part of our identity is fascinating. We see the powerful effects of other types of adoption:

"I identify as a Christian, therefore I support this cause"

"As a registered Democrat, I should behave this way"

"Because I am a business professional, I can't exhibit these traits"

Integrating an ideology into our identity can have powerful knock-on effects, including influencing our opinions about things that have little to do with the core tenets of the ideology itself. As the movement behind climate change grows, it will be interesting to see which social/political/economic positions become inextricably tied to the "climate conscious" identity.

Overall I found this message very enlightening on the concept of social outlets and popular media being crucial to movement needed for more dominant legislative change, and even sociological change in attitude. Although there are many outlets and organizations standing for climate change now, I was wondering given the chance, what moves the panel might make for drastic changes?

As a scientist, I have noticed a distrust by the public increase over the last decade especially in the discipline of climate change research. There have been many studies manipulated on both sides of the spectrum that has made many unsure what to believe. Is there a way to combat this? Is there a way to make the unbiased accurate studied more known for people to use as a reference? I know that I like to make informed evidence based decisions and I think the lack of trust in climate change science has inhibited the prevention and remediation of climate change.

Dr. Götze gave a fantastic presentation! I enjoyed her personal story, due to the fact that both my parents lived on the West Side of the Berlin Wall and were there when it came down, to this day they tell me about the energy of the city that day and how life changed after the wall came down. It was interesting to hear the perspective of that day from someone who was on the other side, as I had never considered the social disruption that came with the wall coming down. It really made me reconsider some of that time period and how it is perceived. In today's world, it is so important to seriously consider our impact on the environment, with scientists saying our time is running out, it almost makes you feel hopeless. Dr. Götze articulated her thoughts and actions on climate change in a way that was very beneficial to someone who is not very well versed in that area. It leads me to reconsider my impact on the environment, we often feel so entitled to certain things but if we really want to create the change we need to like Dr. Götze says we need to incorporate this mindset into our identity. Her words encouraged me to seek out more about my impact on the environment and try to break down the wall around me that I don't even realize are there. I look forward to hearing more from Dr. Götze in the future.

From watching this symposium, I learned much more about the Berlin Wall and the fall of it in 1989. It was very intriguing to listen to someone who had first hand experience living during this time in East Berlin as well as what it was like after the wall came down. When she mentioned the warm welcome from the West and the quick turn around from it involving westerners sweeping in and taking over, I could not help but think about many societies and countries being overthrown by those in power. For example, when Europeans came to America and built it up at the cost of Native Americans and how their lifestyles were completely uprooted and changed.