Dr. Gerhard Knies

This is a big loss for us all. For me he was a leader because he served an idea. Our Common idea and vision of DESERTEC. We will keep him in mind continuing to work hard for DESERTEC‘s success. If you loose your fathers it is time to cry and be sad. But the next step is to become adult and take responability.

Welche traurige Meldung. Die Idee wird umgesetzt! Bestandteile seiner Vision setzen wir bereits um und wir werden damit fortfahren.

Ohne Gerhard Knies hätte es das DESERTEC-Projekt nicht gegeben! Ich bin ihm sehr dankbar, dass er mich - wie viele andere auch - begeistert und mitgenommen hat. Wir verlieren einen großen Menschen mit einer weitreichenden Perspektive und profunder Sachkenntnis!

In großer Bestürzung erfahre ich von dem plötzlichen Tod unseres lieben Freundes Gerhard Knies. Seitdem ich die Ehre habe , der Desertec Familie anzugehören , habe ich Gerhard kennengelernt als unermüdlichen Kämpfer für die Realisierung seiner , der Desertec Vision. Gerhards Tod stellt für Desertec ein großer Verlust dar. Gerhard Knies und Desertec werden für immer miteinander verbunden sein. Danke Gerhard für alles , was Du für Desertec getan hast. Mach´s gut Gerhard, wir werden dich nicht vergessen .

One month ago I met with Gerhard at his place in Hamburg. His body was ravaged by the disease but his mind was as brillent as usual. Today I cry for loosen a friend , Our world is orphaned from a big Scientist and humanist. His vision for a viable world will survive and will pave the right way for many generations to come. Farewell Gerhard and thank you

Gerhard was an inspiration to me. His vision of clean energy from the deserts is a very simple and powerful one, that will bring a revolution to energy consumption not only in countries with deserts but also in Europe, importing from North Africa and the Middle East. With now rapidly falling costs of CSP and PV, his vision could very soon be realized on economic grounds. But we will miss the honesty of Gerhard’s voice against the vested interests and protectionism in Europe trying to resist.

He leave us a great legacy which is us an inspiration and an obligation at the same time.

Gerhard Knies was an uncompromising thinker with visions that he followed with great enthusiasm. Let’s continue to pave the path that he took and keep his memory forever.

Without Gerhard Knies nobody would have had the courage to dream about 100% renewable energy fired and competitive industrial state like Germany. Now this is getting real and Gerhard had his relevant stake in this.

In Gerhard we have lost a relentless producer of ideas (I once estimated 10 per day) and fighter for a better world. He was such an inspiring source of power and pride when we started the DESERTEC Foundation in 2008/09. This particular idea of his has changed my life: I will start working full-time on it when I will leave EIB next year, hoping to help deliver what Gerhard fought for: A viable world for 10 billion people, thanks to Renewable Energy from deserts!

Gerhard was a visionary who was always ahead of the times with his concept for a sustainable future. For many decades he fought emphatically for his ideas with great passion and impressive persistence.

Gerhard will stay a great source of inspiration for our action. Founder of the Desertec Vision and the Viable World Design Network, we will continue the path he has traced, through his spirit and legacy. I had the privilege to exchange with him frequently, along with Driss Zejli, he was interested in our projects, he was committed to contribute to a Viable World, this until his last days. I want to tell him my respect and affection.

What a great and relentless thinker has left the world! He was one of the few free thinkers that I have met in my life. No borders, no limitations combined with a lot of audacity.

My Munich Re colleagues and I are deeply affected by Gerhard Knies passing. Gerhard always was not just the mentor but also the emphatic and authentic driver of the DESERTEC idea and the cooperation with the Dii and its members. We will always hold Gerhard fondly in our memories”:

Knowing Gerhard Knies since the peace movement times in the 1980s, I have been inspired by his unique way of translating big visions into practical strategies, from the vulnerability of our technical civilization and a fully renewable energy system to the cohabitation between nations and a viable world. Lets make these visions real.

Ich habe mit Gerhard Knies über viele Jahre im Rahmen der Dii zusammen gearbeitet und dabei erlebt, wie er mit Begeisterung und Neugier und überzeugt, dass die Menschheit ihr Energieproblem lösen kann, die unterschiedlichsten Menschen zusammen brachte und unbeirrbar für seine Idee kämpfte. Ich bin überzeugt, dass er damit viele Menschen gewonnen hat, die weiterhin an der Umsetzung seiner Vision arbeiten.

God bless his soul. I will pray for him now

As one of the founders of the DESERTEC Foundation I would say Gerhard has inspired all of us with his ideas.

A great scientific and visionary left us. My sincere condolences to all of you. He didn't stop working till his last days. I saw him for the last time in last July in Bremen. During two days, we had interesting and calm discussions. We exchanged until recently along with Charles Ifrah mainly about the project of Viable World. He is unique. He will stay alive in our mind. May God bless him.

I believe that there is no way around Gerhard's vision. Gerhard has always shown us where to go, and I see it as well. It is a pity that he is no longer allowed to experience the realization of his idea. A big loss.

... very sad and too early. Every day counts not only for the unused, precious solar energy which Gerhard stands for, but as we are painfully reminded here, also for each of us.

Gerhard has shown that you can achieve a lot as a single person.

Gerhard, you will always be a role model for us for your honest commitment to a world in balance. We promise you to make your DESERTEC vision a breakthrough and we are all honored to continue your idea. We miss you.

Der Verlust von Gerhard, eines nimmermüden Kämpfers für den Klimaschutz, reisst eine grosse Lücke in unsere Gemeinschaft. Doch sein Lebenswerk wird in guten und vor allem vielen Händen und Köpfen weiterleben. Sein kraftvolles Engagement wird noch lange fortwirken.

Farewell, Gerhard, großer Denker und friedvoller Kämpfer für Klimaschutz, saubere Energie, Frieden und Gerechtigkeit vor allem für Generationen, die uns folgen werden. Du hattest noch viel vor und wirst vermisst. Dein Beispiel und Deine Lebensfreude und Dein herzliches Lachen werde ich immer gerne erinnern.

We would like to add our deep condolences to the long list of followers of gerhard expressing heartfelt words on the occasion of the pass away or our mentor. Will remember him as a courageous fighter. Dear Gerhard, rest in peace

Gerhard Knies ist tot. Das stimmt mich traurig, aber auch dankbar. Es ist unwirklich, dass er nicht mehr unter uns ist. Er war stets, durch dick und dünn, unser Freund, Kritiker und Inspirator. Desertec, seine Idee, woran er lange gearbeitet hat, lebt weiter und wird Realität: Emissionsfreie Energie aus Wüstengegenden. Gerhard hat einen Trend eingeleitet, der nicht mehr zu stoppen ist. Die grosse Energiewende ist bereits überall in der Praxis gut sichtbar. Vielen Dank, Gerhard. Du warst ein Grosser!

It is a big loss to the renewable energy world but a bigger loss to AFROwatt. Dr. Knies has been our Mentor, Motivator and Guardian. He has directed our path in this renewable energy journey even at personal cost. He loved Africa more than Africans and was very passionate in his plans and vision for this continent. We will immortalize him by achieving his dreams. I will never forget him. He has passed on a huge responsibility to us for which we are bound to succeed. Dr. Knies restored my hope on humanity. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

As a physicist and visionary, Gerhard Knies convinced with a short and very powerful sentence: „Within 6 hours deserts receive more energy from the sun than humankind consumes within a year.“ As we mourn for his death, his words live on. They give us orientation and confidence in the practical implementation of renewable energies.

A great visionary passed away - Gerhard Knies - the father of DESERTEC died in Hamburg. He taught me the wealth of solar energy and deserts. Thanks to inspire me in your unique way. May your impact live forever.

I would also like to convey my condolences to Gerhard's family and express my admiration for Gerhard, his forward thinking and inspiring vision. Gerhard's ideas will live on and make our world a better place.