Comments on: The EU is dead, long live the new Eco-Europe! http://eucologic.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/hello-world/ From European Union to Eco-Europe: where are the architects? Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:45:04 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Van Ermen http://eucologic.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/hello-world/#comment-5 Van Ermen Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:41:04 +0000 #comment-5 For the EU, the “next big thing” is an Alliance as the 3 Seas Alliance and an Energy and Water Treaty , driven by the European and Russian “Empires” on equal footing (and involving other “Empires” including the Shiite, Chinese, Japanese and US Empires in appropriated manner ), having Istanbul as centre of gravity, leading to a new approach to peace in the whole region - including the Middle East - with a strong involvement of the Business sector providing that it would offer an “ambitious response to sustainability” from a clean technologies and eco- innovation investment and technologies standpoint. For the EU, the “next big thing” is an Alliance as the 3 Seas Alliance and an Energy and Water Treaty , driven by the European and Russian “Empires” on equal footing (and involving other “Empires” including the Shiite, Chinese, Japanese and US Empires in appropriated manner ), having Istanbul as centre of gravity, leading to a new approach to peace in the whole region – including the Middle East – with a strong involvement of the Business sector providing that it would offer an “ambitious response to sustainability” from a clean technologies and eco- innovation investment and technologies standpoint.

]]> By: Van Ermen http://eucologic.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/hello-world/#comment-2 Van Ermen Sat, 19 May 2007 09:09:05 +0000 #comment-2 The Berlin Declaration celebrating the EU's 50th anniversary is very disappointing for two reasons : o In January 2007, President Barroso named sustainability as one of the EU's five key values, to be enshrined in the Berlin Declaration celebrating the EU's 50th anniversary. However, the reference was restricted to figthing climate change. o The Declaration has not been signed by all the Member States. 1.1. Focus on Climate Change only ? That “Climate Change” is prefered - as a EU priority - to “Sustainable Development” is a wrong signal. Indeed humanity is faced with an “evolutionary wall” resulting not of one threat (climate change) but of 3 challenges coming at the same time : climate change, the war for resources, the right to development of all with booming economies in countries as China and India. This is why the EUSDS should remain the overarching strategy.It is now in relation with the new challenges of the XXIst Century related to climate change and resource scarcity that Europe can best give itself a new “mission” ( in line with the priorities which emerged from the citizens panels organised recently by the Commission putting energy and environmental issues as top one priorities for Europe). But it should not be de-linked for the other dimensions of sustainable development. The European Union is the only entity that has defined the goal of promoting the well-being of its peoples AND working for sustainable development as an objective in its draft Constitution. 1.2. The Berlin Declaration has not be signed by everybody. Today the risks have for name resource scarcity and war for resources. The opportunities have for name a resource efficient and low carbon economy and a well being society for all. The challenge is also to be sure that this vision is shared by the EU 27 Member States. Contrary to what thinks the Czech President these new urgencies are neither a “Western” or a “Green” agenda against the rights to development of “new member states” and “developing countries or against “business” nor “a communist plot cooked up by the losers of the cold war”. It is a mankind imperative shared at global level by public authorities, the religious, scientific, business communities, It is - as any crisis - a risk and an opportunity (including to make profit and enhance competitiveness). It it the necessary path to help emerging economies and developing countries to “leapfrog”. The Berlin Declaration celebrating the EU’s 50th anniversary is very disappointing for two reasons :
o In January 2007, President Barroso named sustainability as one of the EU’s five key values, to be enshrined in the Berlin Declaration celebrating the EU’s 50th anniversary. However, the reference was restricted to figthing climate change.
o The Declaration has not been signed by all the Member States.

1.1. Focus on Climate Change only ?

That “Climate Change” is prefered – as a EU priority – to “Sustainable Development” is a wrong signal. Indeed humanity is faced with an “evolutionary wall” resulting not of one threat (climate change) but of 3 challenges coming at the same time : climate change, the war for resources, the right to development of all with booming economies in countries as China and India. This is why the EUSDS should remain the overarching strategy.It is now in relation with the new challenges of the XXIst Century related to climate change and resource scarcity that Europe can best give itself a new “mission” ( in line with the priorities which emerged from the citizens panels organised recently by the Commission putting energy and environmental issues as top one priorities for Europe). But it should not be de-linked for the other dimensions of sustainable development. The European Union is the only entity that has defined the goal of promoting the well-being of its peoples AND working for sustainable development as an objective in its draft Constitution.

1.2. The Berlin Declaration has not be signed by everybody.

Today the risks have for name resource scarcity and war for resources. The opportunities have for name a resource efficient and low carbon economy and a well being society for all. The challenge is also to be sure that this vision is shared by the EU 27 Member States.
Contrary to what thinks the Czech President these new urgencies are neither a “Western” or a “Green” agenda against the rights to development of “new member states” and “developing countries or against “business” nor “a communist plot cooked up by the losers of the cold war”. It is a mankind imperative shared at global level by public authorities, the religious, scientific, business communities, It is – as any crisis – a risk and an opportunity (including to make profit and enhance competitiveness). It it the necessary path to help emerging economies and developing countries to “leapfrog”.

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