Three Questions for Jörg Ahlheim

What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

A few years ago, someone from an adjacent working group asked me: “Tell me, Jörg, what do you actually do here at the UFZ?” I told her that I was responsible for various projects including the preparation and implementation of sampling campaigns, mainly on rivers in Germany and abroad, and therefore worked a lot in the field. I always have to deal with new situations on site. And all over Europe. Sometimes even in Africa or China. Or – like last year – for a project focusing on pubs and hair salons in Leipzig. I always meet interesting people from other scientific institutions and have exciting contacts with “normal” people. If that’s not exciting, what is?

If money and time were no object, what would your next project be?

I can think of a million things. Locally and globally. As a resident of Leipzig, it is important to me that the city remains as livable as it (still) is and that it continues to prepare itself for the climate changes that are already noticeable (more hot days per year, droughts). Leipzig’s alluvial forest also plays a very important role. It is one of the largest preserved alluvial forests in Central Europe and is of great importance, not only for the city’s climate. Unfortunately, politicians don’t always make the right choices when it comes to preserving this vital landscape. That’s why I would financially support the numerous projects in which the UFZ and other scientific institutions, not to mention numerous private interest and environmental groups, are involved and doing great work. Another very important aspect to me would be (environmental) education: that people get more in touch with their environment again and realize how important a healthy environment is for our mental and physical health.

If you could choose anyone, who would you like to have dinner with and what would you talk about?

Maybe with all the billionaires in the world. I would try to convince them that their money (used properly) could do a lot of good, which would also benefit them in the long run. Especially their descendants. But they probably wouldn’t take me seriously. So, it would be better to talk to Maja Göpel about what else can be done to convince society, politics and business that we (must) achieve a transformation towards more sustainability and more justice.