Environmental expectations: protecting the environment, transfer of a heritage

In my contribution to the Second Villigen Workshop, I want to discuss some important aspects that should be considered when a future radiation protection system is developed. As I see it, any future system of radiation protection should take public opinion much more seriously than is true today. To make this happen, specific aspects should be taken into account. Furthermore, a future radiation protection standard should guarantee not only protection of people (individuals and the collective) but also of the environment. In the first part of this paper, I want to give a few examples for shortcomings in the existing system and in current public debate. The second part recommends some important aspects that should be kept in mind in order to overcome the difficulties prevailing today. (author)