Together with nine other leading Swiss think tanks, we have outlined different ways of dealing with the climate crisis in a working paper.
Ten Swiss think tanks and foresight institutions came together to discuss climate change. We all agreed on three points:
Human-made global warming is real. The scientific facts are clear.
Climate change requires urgent action. The climate crisis threatens life on the planet in many ways and is one of the most acute challenges of our time. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has declared a red alert. This is not fearmongering, but appropriate. Solutions are now required.
In order to slow down human-made climate change, we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This also applies to Switzerland, which, with its high level of prosperity and strong science base, must set an example internationally.
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Negotiating the climate crisis with the whole society
The climate crisis and digitalization present us with challenges that are fundamental in nature and require collective action. As a think & do tank for digitalization and society, we believe that too little attention is paid to this context. Many actors see the climate crisis as a problem that can be solved by technology. However, this perspective is shortsighted and dangerous. We are dealing with a social crisis, and we must address it as such. Just like digitalization, the climate crisis affects us all - and yet not all of us to the same extent. Both issues must be negotiated with society as a whole and all voices must be heard. Only then will digital approaches have the potential to reduce emissions and contribute to sustainability through efficiency gains and economies of scale. However, this not only requires new ways of thinking, it also needs digital infrastructures that make this possible.
Online tools for more participation and fewer emissions
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw that digital tools can offer more environmentally friendly ways of working. Home office and virtual conferences have shown low-emission alternatives to the daily stream of commuters and raised questions about sustainable mobility. In addition, digital participation opens up new, low-threshold access to social participation thanks to lower costs and shorter distances. For example, digital tools make it easier to participate in continuing education and organize childcare. However, digital participation also requires media skills (digital literacy), i.e. the ability to navigate online safely and independently. In a time of fake news and increasing polarization, it is important that we strengthen digital literacy skills in order to sustainably promote participation and initiate discourse - also in the area of environmental engagement. These measures are crucial to ensure that democracy remains capable of acting and remains future-oriented even in times of crisis.
