What or who prevents positive developments?

In many areas it can hardly be clearer what needs to be done. That politically nonetheless not act, contradicts then every reason and every common good. What drives elected mandataries to act against their chosen task? Policy to maintain power. Clientelism. Both can only be described as shabby opportunism.

And what, in turn, brings voters to decide for these very "people's representatives"? Fear of change. Fear of personal loss. Almost forgivable.

But the worst preventers are probably those whose profits are constantly growing at the expense of others - humans, animals and nature. Those business enterprises and entrepreneurs, who show no responsibility and accumulate wealth out of pure greed - at the expense of the general public. Those who finance this lousy game first and keep it running.If you recognize someone here, say calmly in the face. And by the way: Even the excuse of the followers "That's just my job" is no longer valid.Helmut Melzer, option

I think it is often the fear that inhibits us. The fear of change per se as well as fears that are fueled by politics or real threats. Only recently it became public that Austria has slipped in terms of press freedom. It is no longer classified as "good", but only as "sufficient". Journalists in Austria are mainly attacked by the FPÖ. Internationally, too, the development of press freedom is retrograde. That scares me personally and slows down many thoughts. Can I write that? What if I want to travel to Turkey? Take a press card or better leave it at home? Fear protects us. But fear also inhibits. That is why, in my opinion, an alert civil society is important and welcomes any initiative that makes for open and critical discourse.

Karin Bornett, freelance journalist

The biggest hurdles in the field of integration are politics in our way. The coexistence has absolute subordination, which shows us alone their dealings with apprentices. The pittance for asylum seekers who want to get involved. The reduction of the family allowance for minimum income recipients. We observe that society here is deliberately split and irrational fears are fueled. There are urgent challenges, such as the integration of refugees into the labor market, reforms in education policy, care, housing ... We are convinced that diversity spurs all areas of life - sports, art and culture, technology, the economy, the care sector ... We want to approach each other with outstretched hands, not with the forefinger. We regard human rights as our common values, and we are committed to doing so with all our might. Therein lies the task of integration, and that applies to both the arriving and the resident.

Sarah Kotopulos, SOS Human Rights

"Averting the climate catastrophe - there is hardly any more urgent task to be tackled today. And the clock is ticking, we only have a few more years left. Ecologically counterproductive tax concessions such as those for the aviation industry or for diesel fuel are no longer justifiable - and yet they are still anchored in the tax system and have been successfully defended by the industry lobby so far.

Civil society protests, politics prefer to look the other way - or even thwart planned climate targets with irresponsible actions such as "Tempo 140" and Co. And so the CO 2 emissions in the transport sector "keep moving" instead of sinking. However, we must finally realize that climate research, environmental organizations and tens of thousands of young people who have been protesting for months about their future are right: As far as the climate crisis is concerned, there are only two choices: 'acting' or 'not doing'. Nothing - or too little - to do, leads us on a direct path to the climate catastrophe. Environmentally damaging subsidies must therefore finally be dismantled and climate and energy targets should be tackled structurally with the aid of an income-neutral CO 2 tax. "

Franz Maier, President of the Environmental Association

If one looks at the wind energy one thing becomes clear: The population's agreement to wind energy is at an all-time high, 200 ready approved wind turbines have been waiting for years for the release of the subsidies, so that the wind farms can finally be built. But politics is still hard to come from talking to action. The facts are at the table, it's time for implementation.

Martin Jaksch-Fliegenschnee, Interessengemeinschaft Windkraft - IGW

The establishment, ie those who benefit from the status quo or a continuation in this sense.

Markus Murlasits via Facebook

Of course you could ask here to blame the "big players", and you're right. Considering that there are still no hydrogen-powered cars on the market to buy, although the technology is already mature. Much more we prevent even positive developments with statements such as "... but that has always been so", "... I do not think that works". This not only slows down your self but also your environment. New ideas need encouragement and air to grow and become big projects. In my opinion, we also achieve positive developments with a positive attitude and openness - just do not stand in your own way.

Magdalena Kessler, nature hotel Chesa Valisa

"The daily flow of information that" pounces on us "is constantly increasing. This often leads to a blunting and the feeling of overwork. The feeling of not being able to change as an individual the states of this world we are constantly reading about, which we are informed about, videos, links, postings, or tweets. This feeling is in my opinion one of the brakes for positive change. Because many people then think, "It's all so bad, I can not change that alone, so anyway everything does not matter."

But we must not give in to this urge, on the contrary: the world has become ever more liveable, as we can imagine. We all determine our future together, nothing is fixed, we always have a choice. Whether in daily shopping, where I deliberately decide for goods from sustainable cultivation, or for the top-super-cheapest price offer, but above all as a political person who renounces the frustration of participating in elections, or even active in democratic Participates in decision-making processes. Each one of us can support politicians who are committed to a sustainable way of life, we can choose those who support positive ideas and much more. The next concrete possibility of participation is on 26.Mai: There is European election. My appeal: Get informed and vote, because the European project is more important than ever! "

Hartwig Kirner, Fairtrade Austria

The rapid loss of species is a great threat to nature and us humans. That's why we need a committed policy with effective action at all levels: from the EU, through federal and state governments and lobbying to every one of us, everyone needs to take action. So it is high time to establish an Austria-wide nature protection law that consistently counteracts species loss. Currently, nature conservation is regulated by nine federal states in terms of nature conservation, hunting and fishing. These are 27's various laws that often make it impossible to create good structures on a sufficiently large area. Because nature is limitless and its protection must be the same!

Dagmar Breschar, Nature Conservation Union

The solutions for the future must be thought of from the end. This means that certain things simply do not exist in the future. Admitting this is currently missing. The climate crisis but also the global technology revolution (energy transition, digitization, mobility) requires consistent action by Europe. The fossil combustion engine, fossil fuels and nuclear energy are not among the solutions to the climate crisis and the technology revolution. Therefore, there is only one way for these technologies: we have to get out as fast as possible. TODAY means that some companies with their current business models are not part of the future unless they reorient themselves. Consequence means that the policy sets the framework to make this possible and not to artificially keep these companies alive.

Florian Maringer, Renewable Energy Austria

A political system, which thinks in financial years and at best in electoral periods, consistently hinders sustainable decisions. An economic system that requires quarterly figures from major players to calculate executive salaries and stock prices, along with dividends, is counterproductive to sustainability. Subsidy rules that are not geared to animal welfare and nature conservation, but to the pursuit of efficiency, prevent a reorientation in food production. But also: individual inconsistency and inertia, which provides comfort and time savings in mobility from climate protection, the unethical consumption ...

Wilfried Knorr, spokesman for the common good economy

A friend of mine hangs a card saying, "Everyone always said that would not work, then someone came who did not know that and just did it!"

I think, very often, we prevent ourselves from positive developments. For that we have to make changes, say goodbye to cherished rituals, habits and ways of thinking. Pain and sadness meanwhile endure, until new ways in our brain and our feelings feel good again. A little bit of fear protects us from hasty steps, too much fear leaves us on the ground. Development needs courage and confidence, the desire to fly and reason enough to land well and move on.

Martina Kronthaler, Action Life