The legacy of Wubbo Ockels, and the mission of University of Groningen interdisciplinary School for Energy and Climate.

In the quest for a sustainable future, a powerful concept known as the "Overview Effect" has captured the imagination of visionaries and changemakers around the world. This phenomenon is experienced by astronauts who witness Earth's fragility from space. One of these visionaries was the Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels. Named after him, in the spirit of innovation and collaboration, the University of Groningen launched The Wubbo Ockels School for Climate and Energy, aiming to foster holistic solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

Just before he died in 2014, Ockels wrote a farewell letter in which he called on mankind to focus on sustainability and humanism, and to stop destroying planet Earth and choose a different path instead. The School that is named after Wubbo Ockels aims to answer this call and to boost the UG’s contribution to a fairer and greener energy transition.

The Wubbo Ockels School for Climate and Energy aims to develop teaching, research, and let public involvement thrive in an environment that encourages students, researchers, external parties, and interested parties to meet up and talk.

Partnerships for building this community can take various shapes. In-person visibility could include exhibitions, conferences, symposia, workshops, and discussion groups, whereas examples of online visibility include news articles and social media. It is through building this community that we achieve this mission and aim: Towards a greener and fairer energy transition and climate policy together!

The Overflight Effect: A Profound Awakening

The overflight effect refers to the profound shift in consciousness that astronauts experience when they observe Earth from space. Seeing our planet as a fragile blue orb against the vastness of the cosmos creates a deep sense of interconnectedness and responsibility. Wubbo Ockels, too, became acutely aware of the limited resources, the delicately balanced ecosystems, and the urgency to protect our home. We all are contributing to safeguarding the one place that we call our home, Earth.

We are proud to be a founding partner of Chapter Zero Netherlands, together we will face the climate and energy challenges of this time.