Rediscovering the World: Simplified Steps for a Fresh Perspective
Maja Goepel, the Secretary General of the World Institute of Sustainability, is challenging the status quo with her new book, "Thinking the World Anew: An Invitation." Currently Germany's No. 1 bestselling work of non-fiction, the book is a call to action for a radical restructuring of our economy and society.
Goepel argues that our obsession with economic growth, as measured by yields, profits, turnover, and economic growth, must be replaced with a focus on the value of technological progress in terms of its contribution to society. She contends that green growth, achieved through technological advancements like e-cars and efficient refrigerators, does not address the larger issue of a global society that is degrading its own basis for existence.
Goepel sees the global Energiewende as one aspect of a sustainable economy that reflects climatic limitations, human needs, and contributes to the social fabric rather than tearing it apart. She asserts that there are abundant examples of collective and cooperative models of renewable energy generation in Europe, such as citizen energy projects from Scotland to Italy, which prioritize community wellbeing over profit for a few owners.
Goepel is not a believer in green growth and believes that simply transitioning to green energy while refusing to part with neo-liberal economics won't stave off the downfall of our civilization. She argues that our modern systems are fundamentally incapable of serving the needs of the majority of the population. To rectify this, we must first grasp the underlying assumptions of the path we're on and reconfigure them to secure a decent living standard for the many with the lowest possible carbon footprint.
Goepel's book reaches back to the beginnings of capitalism to understand the present crises of environmental degradation, economic disparity, and illiberal democracy. She contends that the Energiewende is part of a much bigger puzzle of creating a sustainable economy that addresses the interconnected issues of these crises.
Goepel has been a vocal advocate for change, speaking at the Fridays for Future demonstrations and appearing regularly in television talk shows last year. She is a scholar, founder of the World Future Council and Scientists for Future, and currently Secretary General of the German Advisory Council on Global Change.
However, some critics argue that Goepel's book could have provided more detail on the collective and cooperative models of renewable energy generation, especially in light of their success in Europe and beyond. Despite this, Goepel's call for radical change is a powerful reminder that our current systems may not be sustainable for the future and that we must rethink our approach to economics and society.
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