When considering carbon neutrality, or carbon offset, it seems futile to discuss its urgency. Looking at our economic system and the state of the environment nowadays, we have a pessimistic attitude and are dubious about this goal. But the term also provides us a chance to consider the concept of “neutrality”. It means not only “offset” but is also a conception that is in some ways similar to “exchange”: If something is taken away, then something must also be added back in order to restore the balance – the “neutral state”.

Our expedition “Spirit Balance” dealt with “exchange” as a personal feeling that cannot be calculated by science. We tried to figure out how to address this important aspect of climate protection during the Covid-19 epidemic, starting from a personal inner state of balance. In the expedition, we used Taiwan and Austria as different settings and as just two sides of the same scale.

We were looking for everyday actions in our lives that correspond to the concept of (carbon) neutrality. These actions should combine two concepts: “restrictions (lockdown)” and “doing nothing for the environment”.

The starting point was the question of how the style of living in Linz was affected by the lockdown, and how to maintain a personal mental balance during these difficult times. Interpersonal contact emerged as the most important need for the Linz students.

Three of the Linz students made short films as individual responses and sent them to the GITA students. The latter expanded the footage based on their ideas of how the balance can be restored. In doing so, they made use of three different approaches:

Julia Leeb did a very humorous commentary on hoarding everyday things, especially toilet paper. Sarah Dorfer tried to develop a new life style that is self-sufficient once again and far away from any electronic gadgetry. Johanna Brunner expressed her feelings during the lockdown and turned her frustration into hope.

The GITA students read hope into their “cultural practices” and responded in a poetic way, that can be summarized as follows: