Turning point. The pandemic as an opportunity for change: a vision by Nick Meynen

By European Environmental Bureau  (EEB)

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that a return to ‘normal’ is not possible. The ‘old normal’ was a fictional world anyway, in which we could just grow forever without facing any repercussions. That fairytale is over.

But despite bringing misery to many, the pandemic also offers us an important lesson and even a unique opportunity to heal broken bonds. Responses from governments show that political arrangements can change very fast, and this time it’s not about saving banks but saving people. It is now that the paradigm changes. Our wellbeing is key, both planetary wellbeing and human wellbeing. These two are way more connected than we realised before, as the emerging science of “planetary health” shows and as the pandemic illustrates. The pandemic is just a symptom.

The EEB published an essay on this, called ‘Turning Point’. It is neither a report nor a position paper, but a pocket-book or long-read opinion that aims to be thought-provoking and inspiring. After following the virus on its path to “success”, exploiting various weaknesses in human society, it comes with ten very bold turning point proposals to really turn crisis into opportunity.

Available for you: a poetic trailer, a free hard copy, a pdf in English or French, an interview.

Join our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter
Join
The content of this website is generated by civil society organisations which are either members or partners of SDG Watch Europe. The opinions expressed do not necessarily always reflect the opinions of all members of SDG Watch Europe or the coalition itself. The content of this website is provided for information purposes only. No claim is made as to the accuracy or authenticity of the content and the website does not accept any liability to any person or organisation for the information or advice which is provided or incorporated into it by reference. This website has been produced and maintained with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.