Jean Ziegler Has Died – A Provo and Outspoken Critic of Hunger and Injustice

Jean Ziegler Has Died – A Provo and Outspoken Critic of Hunger and Injustice

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Jean Ziegler has passed away in Geneva at the age of 92. With the passing of this Swiss sociologist, politician, author, and former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, the world has lost one of the most influential voices in the fight against hunger, poverty, and global inequality.

For decades, Ziegler asked uncomfortable questions. Why do people go hungry in a world of abundance? Why do some regions benefit from global prosperity while others suffer from poverty, hunger, and exploitation? His answers were often controversial, and his criticism of politics, the financial system, and multinational corporations was sharp—and that is precisely why he became known far beyond Switzerland.

 

The Fight Against Hunger as a Life's Work

Ziegler gained international recognition primarily as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. Between 2000 and 2008, he traveled to numerous countries, documented food crises, and drew attention to the structural causes of poverty. For him, hunger was not a natural phenomenon, but the result of political and economic decisions.

Particularly powerful was the statement that made him famous worldwide: A child who dies of hunger is not a victim of a lack of food, but a victim of a system that fails to ensure his or her sustenance. This stance shaped his entire body of work.

 

Criticism of the Global Economic System

Ziegler was one of Europe's best-known critics of globalization. He criticized food speculation, tax evasion, corruption, and the power of large financial and corporate conglomerates. At the same time, he was committed to international solidarity and a more equitable distribution of resources.

He was a figure who regularly divided opinion. To some, he was an unwavering champion of social justice; to others, an ideological critic of capitalism. What is undisputed, however, is that he shaped the debate on global responsibility, hunger, and development policy for decades.

 

Why Jean Ziegler's Message Is More Relevant Today Than Ever

The issues that concerned Jean Ziegler remain highly relevant in 2026. Climate change is threatening crops around the world, water is becoming scarcer in many regions, and geopolitical crises are exacerbating uncertainty regarding food supplies.

At the same time, the world continues to produce enough food to feed everyone. The crucial question therefore remains the same one that Ziegler has been asking for decades: How can we ensure a fair distribution of available resources?

His legacy therefore remains particularly relevant for sustainability initiatives such as pro.earth. After all, environmental challenges and social justice cannot be separated from one another. Anyone who talks about climate protection must also talk about food security, access to water, and global responsibility.

 

Facts and Figures

Jean Ziegler was born on April 19, 1934, in Thun, Switzerland.
He served as a member of the Swiss National Council for 27 years.
From 2000 to 2008, he served as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.
He published more than 30 books on the topics of hunger, globalization, and social justice.
Jean Ziegler died on June 10, 2026, in Geneva at the age of 92.

 

With the passing of Jean Ziegler, the world has lost one of its most vocal critics of global inequality. His central message endures: Hunger, poverty, and environmental destruction are not inevitable fates—they are challenges for which people bear responsibility.

Photo: Boris Dupont / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Photovoltaics: Second EAG funding call in Austria begins on June 16

Photovoltaics: Second EAG funding call in Austria begins on June 16

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Following a strong start to the funding year in April, the second EAG funding call for investment grants for photovoltaic systems and energy storage systems will open on June 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. A total of 12 million euros is available for this purpose. The lottery will begin at 5:00 p.m. Funding applications may be submitted from June 16 through June 30, 2026.

 

“The high demand shows that people want to be part of the energy transition. What matters now is that we develop photovoltaics in such a way that it not only generates a lot of electricity, but also makes this electricity available at the right time, in the right place, and at an affordable cost. That is exactly what the new funding approach is all about: We are not slowing down the expansion; we are making it smarter,” says Elisabeth Zehetner, State Secretary for Energy at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Tourism.

 

High demand: First funding call increased by 30 million euros

The first EAG funding call for 2026 highlighted the strong momentum in the expansion of photovoltaic systems and energy storage: nearly 29,000 applications were submitted. Originally, 40 million euros had been earmarked for PV and storage subsidies in this call. In fact, funding requests totaled approximately 135 million euros. To better meet this high demand, an additional 30 million euros was released from remaining funds. As a result, the first funding call was increased from the original 40 million euros to a total of 70 million euros.

 

Storage is becoming the key to the energy transition

A structural trend is particularly evident in the first funding call: approximately 90 percent of the applications already included a storage component. From the perspective of the energy system, this is a crucial step. After all, a modern energy system must not be designed solely to generate as much electricity as possible. It must also be designed to better integrate generation, consumption, storage, and the grid.

“The first call for proposals clearly shows the direction in which things are heading. The energy transition is not just about rooftops, but also about basements, the grid, and the market. When there is a lot of solar power available at midday, it must be stored and then made available when households, businesses, and industry need it. Renewable energy generation must evolve into an energy system that works in practice,” said Zehetner.

 

Second Funding Call: 12 Million Euros for Solar Power and Energy Storage

In the second funding round, storage systems will continue to be funded in combination with photovoltaic systems. For smaller PV systems, fixed subsidy amounts per kWp apply: For systems up to 10 kWp, the subsidy is 150 euros per kWp; for systems between 10 and 20 kWp, it is 140 euros per kWp. For systems over 20 kWp, the subsidy is awarded through a bidding process. This ensures that projects with the lowest subsidy requirements are prioritized.

 

The “Made in Europe” bonus enhances safety and adds value

The “Made in Europe” bonus will also continue. Photovoltaic systems and energy storage units built using technical components with European value added may receive an additional subsidy on top of the standard grant. Already, 46 percent of all PV applications include European inverters.

 

Info: The next PV funding calls for 2026

The second call for proposals will run from June 16 to June 30, 2026. A total of 12 million euros is available for this call: 2 million euros each for categories A and B, and 4 million euros each for categories C and D.

The third call for proposals will take place from October 8 to 22, 2026. A total of 8 million euros has been allocated for this purpose, with 2 million euros set aside for each of categories A through D.

Further information on subsidy rates, eligibility criteria, and submission deadlines can be found in the EAG Investment Subsidy Regulation for Electricity and on the EAG Subsidy Administration Office’s subsidy information portal at eag-abwicklungsstelle.at.

It's time to make Grandma's nut liqueur

It's time to make Grandma's nut liqueur

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For anyone who wants to make their own batch of our grandmothers’ health-promoting nut liqueur, now is the time to get started, because St. John’s Day (June 24) is the last chance to use the nuts for this purpose.

 

To my grandmother, it was pure medicine—though I suspect she must have liked the taste, too, because after every heavy meal she would make her way to the mirrored mahogany bar and treat herself to a sip of the dark brown liquid. She always had to have it on hand—if she was running low, she had to make sure to restock.

So in my world, it’s part of the basic essentials of any halfway decent household, right alongside band-aids, toothpicks, and *The Godfather* trilogy. It doesn’t just provide enjoyment; it evokes a sense of home and well-being. It’s an elixir.

But in order for him to reach his full potential, there is one thing he needs in abundance: time.

So let’s get right to work. Tie on your apron (this time it’s really important—the stains are tough), put on your rubber gloves, and let’s get started.

First, you’ll need to find a walnut tree—thankfully, I have one in my garden. Given the current climate changes, St. John’s Day might not be the best time to harvest the nuts—they may have already developed too much shell and thus be unusable. We therefore recommend that you harvest the nuts by mid-June and soak them; this takes three days—but then you’ll need to buy some.

 

What we need

For 15 nuts:

1.5 L grain brandy
1 lemon
Zest and juice of 1 orange
1–2 cinnamon sticks
8 cloves

 

After about 6 weeks:

about 5 small scoops of sugar syrup (to taste)
about 50 ml of alcohol

 

Here's how to do it:

Prick the nuts several times with a knitting needle, then place them in a glass of cold water

Change the water every day for three days

On the fourth day, slice the nuts

Add to a large jar along with the remaining ingredients

Let it sit in a bright, warm place for at least six weeks

Sift the nuts through a cloth

Make a sugar syrup using sugar and water (heat enough sugar in water until it no longer dissolves)

Season to taste with sugar syrup and alcohol—it always turns into a wild party at our place.

If you can, bottle it now—but you can also do it the next day.

 

Have fun!