Following the G7 in Biarritz, some reflections are necessary…
Given the demographic evolution, if Europe wants to achieve a more efficient economy that allows for a standard of living corresponding to the expectations of many of its citizens, especially the poorest and less wealthy, it would be urgent to work more and longer while improving production, transport, and consumption systems, and reducing pollution… This is totally contrary to the ecological demand.
Ecology aims to implement measures that drive us to restrict ourselves and even work less to save the planet. These three elements, as they are envisioned, are completely irreconcilable with each other to make Europe efficient, capable of providing the long-hoped-for well-being, making it predominant and influential on the international level.
Various movements would like everyone to agree to consume less, more locally, more “cleanly,” which may seem logical for the climate and pollution. But what will become of the different industries and intermediaries, transportation… that work for all of France, Europe, and even the world?
Will all employees be able or willing to accept all these changes: in employment, workplace location, function, work? Will the new local or regional structures provide a sufficient number of jobs to compensate for site closures? That is the main question.
All actions such as no longer flying, no longer eating meat, fish, or products coming from outside France and even outside one’s region will completely disrupt the existing organization of flows, products, etc…
To complement these changes, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) advocates working a maximum of 5.5 hours per week to save the planet! It states that if ecological sustainability demands a general reduction in consumption, then the increase in leisure time is not so much a luxury as it is an urgency.
It is interesting to recall that almost all deficits and debts of each country largely stem from population aging and a reduced amount of work! The differences between countries are easily analyzed through these two criteria. For example, Germany, which has reduced its working time less than France and has taken measures to increase it for more than a decade, has seen its economy become positive again.
So how should each of us react to these three contradictory imperatives?
