Visioning Europe

In times of ecological collapse, climate change, and authoritarianism Europe can make the difference. Are we ready to embrace the challenge? Find a common vision? And follow a long-term strategy?

Many are saying the EU is missing direction. I think the underlying problem is lack of shared vision. When there is a vision direction will follow.

In my previous post I said I believe Europe, because of its unique history, including early experiences with capitalism, and the traumas from WW2, is in an unique position to build an ecologically sensible well-being economy. Before we can build this future we will need to dream up a shared vision, that is owned by a vast majority of Europeans across the union. In this post I explore how Europeans could be involved in finding the vision together. I also talk about European values, and about my personal, fragmented vision.

Collective visioning

The EU represents many different people, living in different countries, and within those countries in different (bio)regions. Each region has its unique traditions and cultural values. This plurality makes Europe rich and can be a potential strength, as long as all regions feel they are being heard and have contributed to a strategy that serves their interests.

Finding a vision cannot be done top down in an open society. It should come from, and be owned by, the people. But how…? Maybe the EU could invite citizens to a community-wide collective visioning sessions, engaging citizens in all regions with the question where do they would like to be in 5, 10, and 20 years. Not a vote that can be manipulated by algorithms and foreign actors, but actual meetings where people talk, listen, dream, and create together. Preferably in a loose format. Perhaps organized by municipalities? Perhaps using the format used in citizens’ assemblies about climate?

The synthesis of all the contributions will be a very interesting exercise, and I think the process itself will strengthen regional and European identity. Once a shared vision is synthesized it could be ratified, or sent back for revision, in an EU-wide referendum. Some may say this is slow and potentially inconclusive, but isn’t that inherent to an open society? Rather than focusing on the outcome I think the process itself will be valuable. Inevitably it will lead to new insights and a better understanding of regional priorities.

European values

The values that shaped modern Europe: freedom, solidarity, equality, are still valid today, as far as I am concerned, and should be extended to all people in the world, finally shedding a history of colonialism and white supremacy. This is not the same as expecting, or worse demanding, other people to adopt European values. The missionary drive misses respect for local culture, history, and tradition, and would understandably be experienced as a continuation of superiority and colonialism.

The European values from the late 18th century are anthropocentric. What is missing in my opinion is the relationship with nature and the acknowledgement that we are part of nature. The awareness of human impacts on nature is a relatively recent and still needs to be incorporated in the general consciousness. It is clear a we are in the midst of a cultural war between denialists and the people who accept this added responsibility. If this added value had to be expressed in one word I would say “ecology”, and perhaps change the order of the European values to: ecology, solidarity, equality, freedom.

Personal visioning

Below I will share my personal long-term visions for the EU. I will just share some bullet points and not elaborate much, acknowledging that every point could be the subject of an entire book. After all, rather than working out the details, a vision is supposed to give direction. I acknowledge that my visions, like anyone else’s, are incomplete, fallible, and imperfect. That’s why collaboration is so important.

As I also wrote in my previous post, I believe Europe can make the difference, in a world that is becoming more and more authoritarian, by collaborating, honoring people power, and taking ecological responsibility.

I organized my visions in 5 categories: Life and ecology, Strategic independence, Economy, Migration, and Collaboration.

Life and ecology

Ecoliteracy

What do we mean by ecology as a value? For me it is the understanding that everything is related to everything in natural systems. That resources are recycled without producing waste. And that humans are a species with a role in the ecosystem we are part of. Understanding this role is my definition of ecoliteracy.

Other principles that I think could be incorporated in a Life and Ecology strategy are:

• Design for well-being and sustainability

• Treat other life with respect recognizing we depend on healthy ecosystems

• Adapt to climate change

• Accept that we cannot control what happens in other places in the world

• Take pride in doing what we can to let life thrive

• Phase out all forms of pollution, including fossil fuel emissions.

Strategic independence

Energy

Undoubtedly, buying renewable energy infrastructure in China creates a dependency, but this dependency is less choking than buying LNG from the USA and oil from the Middle East. Oil and gas strategic reserves cover only several weeks to months, while renewables energy technologies will operate for 10+ years after installation, allowing for more time to procure solutions in case the supply is cut. In my opinion this scenario should be anticipated and mitigated by maintaining research and production capacity for critical infrastructure such as energy and mobility

Critical resources

• Explore lowest possible impact methods for mining of domestic critical materials

• Invest in low impact and socially responsible mining in Africa

Defense

• Build independent defense capabilities

Information technology and AI

• Use open source alternatives for government IT

• Use cloud services based in Europe

• Use AI when helpful to improve well-being

• Make sure tech companies enforce EU law on their platforms

• Make rules about content algorithms on social media based on equality and curbing influencing by bots and paid advertising

Economy

• Forget about GDP

• Forget about competitiveness

• Anticipate and stimulate reduced consumption

• Produce quality

• Import quality

• Reduce and avoid waste by making producers, inside and outside of the EU, responsible for the full life-cycle of goods sold in the union

• Supply financing for the purchase of more durable solutions

• Stimulate local food production

• Stick to phasing out fossil fuel emissions by 2050, including emissions associated with imports

• Stimulate R&D aimed decarbonization of hard to abate sectors

• Introduce basic income

Migration

Sadly, it is likely many areas in the world, and particularly the global south, will become inhabitable in the coming decades, because of rising temperatures, rising sea-levels, famine, political persecution, violent conflict, etc.

It is also clear that the EU will not be able to host every displaced person. Despite immigration having become one of the main issues for many Europeans, I believe there are still many communities willing to accept a limited number of refugees.

Despite not being able to receive everyone, I believe there is a widely supported humanitarian desire to help in other ways. I think most European would support collaboration with local governments and communities to support mitigation and adaptation and regional crisis resolution, if they themselves feel sufficiently taken care of, protected and safe.

Collaboration

Note: as in a citizens’ assembly I am offering my views on topics relevant to Europe, without claiming any authority.

China

The trading relationship with China offers mutual benefits and poses a risks because the bulk of manufacturing and increasingly also intellectual property is now controlled by China. I believe innovation in Europe can be boosted by adopting a bold future-proof vision. To me it seems pointless to try and catch up in economic areas where China already dominates. Keeping up though is important to maintain a knowledge base and scalable production when needed.

USA

Given the current antagonistic posture of the USA it makes sense to adopt an observant and protective posture. The US may become friendly again after the 2028 elections, but the post-WW2 transatlantic relationship has ended. The unipolar world order, dominated by the USA after the collapse of the Soviet Union has also ended. The EU market is relevant to all players in the multipolar world.

Africa

Africa is going through a phase of rapid development. The continent is getting organized, with an African investment bank and the emergence of regional expertise centers. The continent is brim with young talent and ambition. Both the EU and Africa would benefit from establishing new relations based on mutual respect and equality.