IT’S TIME TO FIND NEW SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS…

Johana CONRAD

Climate change, reduction in biodiversity, decrease in natural resources, increase in environmental risks… The challenges linked to our environment are a major concern in our societies. The fut Climate ure of our planet and its people are at stake. In order to be able to provide an effective response, it is necessary to rethink in depth thanks to the ecological transition which is the concept which aims to set up a new economic and social model in order to meet the ecological challenges of our century. It aims to rethink our ways of producing, working and living together on a territory to make it more ecological. By transforming the current energy system, the ecological transition thus reduces its environmental impact.

In this sense, the ecological transition represents a period of adaptation which makes it possible to adopt new preferred energy schemes for renewable energies, in opposition to the current scheme mainly based on fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal, etc.). It also aims to reduce energy consumption by limiting waste as much as possible, improving energy efficiency and changing consumption behavior with a view to both economic and social response to the environmental challenges of our planet. Scientists alert us daily to the dangers of climate change on the ecosystem, the weather, the quality and quantity of resources, public health and even economic growth. 

CONCERNS OF TODAY: 

• Fight against global warning (extreme weather events (heat wave, drought, floods, storms) but also impacts human activities (agriculture in particular). By reducing greenhouse gases (mainly CO2), it is possible to reduce our impact on the climate. This requires a model of electrical production favoring renewable energies such as solar, wind or hydraulic power)

• Reduce pollution and our consumption of resources (fine particles, nuclear waste and methane) 

• Improve our health (air quality, pollution, respiratory diseases)

• Reduce waste (biodegradable organic waste can be used for compost or anaerobic digestion)

• Relaunch a new form of growth: green growth (by developing more accessible positive energies such as renewable energies, it’s possible to revive growth by creating jobs in new sectors and on new technologies = green growth or the green economy)

• Fight against fuel poverty (to ensure a good level of comfort while reducing expenses related to energy consumption)

2020 will be crucial for the future of climate and biodiversity. Countries around the world will have to present their new commitments to limit global warming, ahead of COP26 which will be held in Glasgow (Scotland) in November. At the same time, they will have to set new objectives to protect nature over the 2020-2030 decade during the COP15 biodiversity conference to be held in China in October. These two major events in global environmental governance are an opportunity to move forward together on climate and biodiversity with the aim of finding solutions for a sustainable development for future generations.

It’s time to act and to change!!!!