Atmosphärenwahl

Atmosphärenwahl is a term used in theoretical discussions and speculative fiction to denote the democratic or deliberative selection of atmospheric conditions within a defined environment, such as a space habitat, an enclosed ecostructure, or a hypothetical planetary colony. The word combines Atmosphäre (atmosphere) and Wahl (election or choice).

The term is not part of established meteorological or policy vocabulary. It appears in academic and literary contexts as a thought experiment to examine how societies might negotiate atmospheric standards or preferences, and to explore the political and ethical implications of shaping the air we share.

Conceptually, Atmosphärenwahl encompasses decisions about air composition, temperature, humidity, ventilation, pollution thresholds, and other conditions that affect health, comfort, and ecological balance. It also raises questions about governance mechanisms, accountability, and how trade-offs among safety, autonomy, and cost are resolved.

Contexts and applications include speculative fiction, where characters confront the consequences of choosing an atmosphere; and scholarly debates on participatory democracy, common-pool resources, and environmental governance, where the atmosphere is treated as a shared infrastructure requiring legitimacy and inclusive deliberation.

Criticism centers on practical limits, such as technical feasibility and measurement uncertainty, and on normative concerns about who gets a voice in matters of the air. Proponents argue that it provides a useful framework for analyzing legitimacy, resilience, and justice in decisions about atmospheric conditions.

See also: climate policy, environmental governance, terraforming, air quality regulation, participatory democracy.