People from countries around the world realize the necessity for change. High population density, urbanisation, pollution, toxic chemicals, stress, war, violence, refugees, fight for resources, inequality, climate change, loss of biodiversity, etc. lead us into an unpleasant future. This unpleasant future seemed far away but it becomes increasingly more likely that desasterous events will hit us within our own lifetime. Sea level rise, heavy drafts, storms and all the other consequences of climate change will impact everyone, rich or poor. Even the richest family will not be able to enjoy beautiful beaches, once storms and sea level rise have washed them away. Surrounded by desperation, life will be unpleasant for everyone. It is time to envision a sustainable world which we want to build for our children. It is time to act.
Aspects for a brighter future are summarized in the UN sustainable development goals. But how do we get there? My advice:
Implement a one child family target for all countries until human population falls below 2 billion. Financial incentives for birth control should be developed to approach this target.
Respect borders and political regimes as they are today.
Respect human rights, diversity, differences in culture, religion, skin colour, gender etc.
Respect the UN Charta, no military actions wihout UN resolution. Remove veto for US, Russia, China, U.K., France. Reduce military spendings by 90 % over the next decade.
Implement the Paris agreement to keep global temperature rise well below 2 °C, better below 1.5 °C. Calculate allowed greenhouse gas emissions until 2030, release certificates for each ton of CO2 equivalent, declining per year. Companies may receive free certificates for one year of production, afterwards they have to buy certificates on the market. Remaining certificates are equally distributed to all people of all nations. Certificates can be traded at a minimum price of 50$/ton of CO2. New borns get no certificates.
Ban coal burning and nuclear energy as soon as legally possible.
Adjust free trade contracts to allow local support (subsidies) for manufacturing of: food, health/medical products and renewable energies.
Establish minimum environmental and work standards for all products sold in a country, independent of the manufacturing place
Replace income tax by greenhouse gas emission tax.
Protect endangered animals, treat animals respectfully and with sufficient freedom, ban mass production of cheap meat.
Adjust inheritance tax to 0% up to 100.000 € and 100% above. Exceptions: Infrastructure and shares in companies are transferred to the next generation until they are capitalised. Money can be transfered into a philantropic fund at any time and without tax.
Remove all subsidies for non-sustainable companies and businesses, especially in the field of fossil fuel energy.
Develop pathways to 100% renewables, renewable transport, zero emission homes, material recycling and ecological agreculture.
Transfer science funding from fusion, nuclear, fossil fuels, high energy physics, space exploration to renewables, energy storage and distribution. Similar transfers should happen in other disciplines to support the sustainability targets.
Support households with low financial income.
Support education in all forms.
Respect free internet, free press, freedom of opinion and speach.
Support programs for reforestration, cleaning of the oceans, biodiversity
Ban not compostable plastics wherever sustainable alternatives exist such as for bags and bottles
My vision describes a world in which we live in peace with our families and friends, in which we learn from others and enjoy diversity.