August 31, 2023, 7:05 pm
“Bold Europe” – this is the title under which the European Forum Alpbach 2023 is currently taking place. Taking into account the polycrises, it is about realigning Europe’s role in the world. Last but not least, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine acted as a wake-up call to the continent of its lethargic prosperity. He clearly demonstrated how dependent Europe was on cheap fossil energy from Russia, how dependent on China as a production site and on US security guarantees. And hanging over everything – not just Europe – is the Damocles sword of the global climate crisis, which threatens our livelihoods and social peace. By tackling this issue, Europe could be at the forefront of a new economic and social paradigm. To do so, it would have to strengthen local resilience, massively expand renewable energy, resolve problematic supply chains, shift to CO2-neutral industries, rethink mobility and nutrition, and probably also take its own security into its own hands.