The European Space: A Project for a Sustainable Future
Download
Read an extract
Themes
European energy model, climate change, energy independence, renewable energies, European energy union, sustainable future, European citizens, transgenerational, transnational, transsectoral
Reader
Abstract
Extract
of 5
Abstract
This document explores the importance of a unified European energy model in the face of climate change, highlighting the need for energy independence and renewable energies. It discusses the convergence of European interests and the potential for a European energy union, as well as the role of citizens in shaping a sustainable future for Europe.
Extract
[...] Climate urgency becomes a political urgency." I. To fundamentally redirect the short-term consumerist system A. To establish a legislative and regulatory framework favorable to sobriety The differencesThe different forms of manifestations observed throughout Europe largely reflect the growing gap between the aspirations of Europeans and current practices. From this perspective, the stagnation of national and European legislation constitutes an obstacle to the development of more virtuous new practices. Several initiatives have indeed been taken in recent years, for example in Scandinavian countries or in Germany with the reintroduction of deposit-refund systems, but these localized and residual evolutions do not allow for a change in scale in the transformation of our development model. [...]
[...] Challenging our energy model: a social and climate imperative C. Energy independence and renewable energies, two sides of the same coin Although the social movements of the Yellow Vests and those of theAlthough the social movements of the Yellow Vests and those of the climate defense do not necessarily share a common ideology, it is not insignificant to note that they are occurring simultaneously. In fact, the impoverishment of the most popular classes in European societies is largely played out on the question of energy, as well as on that of its cost. [...]
[...] Weighing globally Today'Today that the interests of different European countries converge in a unified framework, it is the European political project that is regularly mocked, particularly because citizens have been kept at arm's length. If attempts have been made - notably with the establishment of the Schengen area or the holding of common elections - the concrete translation of Europe into the daily life of its citizens is slow to be felt. The regular decline in participation in European elections attests to this disillusionment. In this perspective, the'the inclusion of citizens could, in a unique way, pass through the valorization of initiatives taken by an increasing number of individuals or associations. [...]
[...] Focus on the coherence of the European space A. The fight against climate change, a project for Europe Also virtuous as they may be, the initiatives taken by a European stateIn itself, a single state in terms of environmental preservation or climate change mitigation will have a very limited impact at the global level. On the other hand, the European Union represents a significant population hub with over 510 million individuals, and 21% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP)2. [...]
[...] While the youth were initially at the forefront of the movement, all age groups are now engaged in the fight against climate change. Like the high school students on strike, Europeans seem to have finally woken up. They are leading multiple actions and displaying a non-violent resistance: massive strikes, boycotts of large retailers, blockades of refineries, airports, and organization of citizen debates across the continent. A few weeks afterThis week the European continent is in stagnation and a new kind of economic crisis seems to be emerging. [...]
