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Hi,
Something really caught my eye last week. It was a poll, stating that
78% of Germans hope the world will "significantly change" to be more
sustainable and fair after the pandemic. The global average is even higher.
[1] That is a whole lot of will for positive change. When you think about it,
it’s incredible.
But it’s also a bit vague. What could that surge of fairness and
sustainability look like in Europe? And how could we get there? I’d like to hear
from you about your hopes.
So much lies in the balance right now:
- Like trains. 2021 is the European Year of Rail. The
European Commission wants to promote affordable high-speed rail as one part of
the solution to climate change. [2] But that won't suit the car lobby. Or the
plane lobby. And they will push like hell to water ambition down. Where’s the
people power in this debate?
- Like access to affordable medicines and vaccines beyond the
pandemic: this will hit the EU agenda in April. But is anyone
watching what happens there? How affordable will they be? How transparent will
the pharma industry have to be about pricing?
- As the economic impact of the pandemic settles in and millions more
are affected, 2021 should really be the year to pilot a Universal
Basic Income in Europe. [3] This is one of the tricky ones that
is not really even on the table. It won't get there unless we demand it.
- The EU-Mercosur trade deal will return to the EU
agenda: can we stop them from fuelling the total destruction of the
Amazon?
- The Common Agricultural Policy is almost decided on
and it has the potential to totally screw up the ambition of the EU Green
Deal. By June, we will see whether Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
uses her power to withdraw the CAP. Or not. Right now she’s not budging but
people in Europe have the power to change this. [4]
- Will more trees and food be burnt as energy sources
in Europe? The revision of the Renewable Energy Directive will say. Who’s
watching?
- Migrants and refugees are still viewed as
statistics. And although Europe has not built a wall like the one Trump wanted
on the Mexican border, an invisible wall is there. In March, the Greek
government violently pushed away people escaping war and poverty on their
border and the European Commission President congratulated it. [5] It is in
this context that the new EU Migration Pact will be agreed this year.
- €750 billion in post-COVID funding will be spent in
27 EU member states this year. Right now our governments are busy writing
their plans. Who will get that recovery money? Will it be used towards
sustainability and fairness? Or to prop up industries that are not sustainable
and therefore should have no future?
- A conference on the Future of Europe this year could
include a Citizens Assembly on climate change that could
spice up democracy and generate some good ideas on the way forward. How much
does that matter?
All the uncertainties we are facing right now can go either way. We have
so many opportunities to nudge things in the right direction. And we are called
upon to do that. Most of us want more fairness and more sustainability after the
pandemic. So, let’s get cracking together.
Fill in the survey and tell us:
This will take less than 2 minutes.
We'll be waiting to hear from you!
Laura Sullivan
Executive Director, WeMove Europe
References:
[1]
https://www.ipsos.com/en/global-survey-unveils-profound-desire-change-rather-return-how-life-and-world-were-covid-19
[2]
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/rail/news/2020-12-30-year-of-rail_en
[3]
https://act.wemove.eu/campaigns/basic-income-pilot
[4]
https://act.wemove.eu/campaigns/withdraw-cap
[5]
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/migration-eu-praises-greece-as-shield-after-turkey-opens-border
WeMove
Europe is an independent and values-based organisation that seeks to build
people power to transform Europe in the name of our community, future
generations and the planet.
WeMove Europe is funded by donations from our community
across Europe. Can you chip in with a few euros a month and help make sure we
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Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 12:16 PM
Subject: What’s worth fighting for?
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