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It is another “country”, innovative, resilient, united, that WE DEMAIN has discovered by setting out to meet those who are often unknown, sometimes isolated and even forgotten in the territories Members of the “Diagonal of the Void” decided to take their fate into their own hands and shape their future. A sustainable and more desirable future for the planet that meets the social, economic and environmental challenges of a disruptive world. In this area, New Aquitaine has actively started remodeling.
Collaborative intelligence, integrative solidarity, dynamics of autonomy, the sharing of skills, the symbiosis between yesterday’s know-how and advanced technologies make territories living laboratories of tomorrow’s society. With the ability to transform problems, if not into solutions, at least into opportunities. A commitment at all levels that is nourished by a deep, sometimes intimate connection to his country.
The change, the transition, will come from the Republic of the Territories
Creating, innovating, being courageous for the common good, sometimes by breaking the codes, by breaking with the fatal, with the fatal, by being a force of hope, these are some of the values that the “Boy Scouts” share, the we met in New Aquitaine. With the same conviction: change, transition will come from the Republic of Territories!
In the largest French region, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional council wants to be a role model: “It is the only region in France that breaks down global problems related to climate and environment into local problems,” explains Vincent Bretagnolle, research director at the Chizé Center for Biological Studies ( CNRS/University of La Rochelle). Health, education, housing, mobility, agriculture: the region has actually initiated its energy efficient and social transformation.
A roadmap with quantified commitments for New Aquitaine
Néo Terra, the roadmap for this transition between the old and new worlds adopted in 2019, has quantified the commitments for New Aquitaine. Concrete actions. And a deadline: 2030. An ambitious action plan whose goals meet the challenges.
Between sea, mountains, vineyards, dunes and forests, this vast area is one of the regions most affected by global warming. The experts’ conclusions are clear: +1.4°C in the 20th century, floods, increasing storms, increasingly frequent droughts. And their equally alarming forecasts: In 2050 we will have to live with 1 to 2 °C more. Twice as many heat waves. Climate change with catastrophic effects on ecosystems: If nothing is done, half of the birds could disappear by 2028. And 95% of the microfauna.
Scientists and experts determine the use
The threats to forests, the fragile barrier between land and sea and refuges for protected species are increasing every year. This dystopia-like diagnosis was made in 2018 by researchers and scientists, more than 370 contributors who came together as part of AcclimaTerra, a regional scientific committee on climate change chaired by climatologist Hervé Le Treut, a lynchpin of the first five IPCCs.
The scientific committee for biodiversity Ecobiose, founded in 2017 and led by Vincent Bretagnolle, brings together 150 experts from the fields of environmental sciences, human and social sciences. Every major battle has its roadmap. That of Néo Terra requires a general mobilization in New Aquitaine. Associations, municipalities, companies and citizens: The fight against climate risks requires the action of everyone involved.
A necessary economic change in New Aquitaine
Bringing together economic dynamics and the fight against global warming: the equation is complex. State-of-the-art industries and research centers – the region has undoubtedly achieved economic change. It is a major challenge to ensure that this growth does not pollute the environment, its biodiversity and the common assets of water and air and is part of a sustainable and united future. The dictation repeated like an anaphora is called a mutation.
Change in companies with the development of a more economical production model. Change in the agricultural and food economy and protection of agricultural land and forests. Mobility change with priority towards gentle and clean mobility. Housing change thanks to resilient urbanization.
It’s time to step up a gear
Four years after the launch of Néo Terra, the big change has actually begun: the initiatives and experiments of the people we met are proof of this. Now the region just needs to step up a gear. By speeding up the process. Six “big ambitions” make up this new agreement: securing the future through restoring natural resources.
Build tomorrow by reactivating the social elevator. Better nutrition by accelerating the agroecological transition. Innovate for a carbon-free economy. Adapting housing and mobility to climate change. And sixth goal: ensure health for all. Colossal challenge!
“Neo Terra is not an arrival point, but a starting point. With the ambition to anticipate and tackle the common construction,” says Alain Rousset, President of the region. The big change, a change with lasting consequences, has only just begun.
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