A Self-Sufficient Beacon

Anonymous

March 19, 2025

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

On the last day of Ukraine's first term as president of the Council of the EU, it is important to remember how far we have all come on renewable energy.

Spurred by the challenges of the 2020s to divest of suppliers that pollute both our world and our society, it is an enduring achievement to witness a now self-sufficient European Union.

Interconnections stitch all of our nations together, beaming nuclear energy from France, Germany, and Italy to the peripheries, from where, in turn, renewables like wind and tidal pour back to the mainland.

Partnership with Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco have opened the Northern Sahara as a solar powerhouse. There is growing interest amongst all countries that fringe that vast desert to participate in the scheme, too. It not only provides a wealth of clean reliable electricity to both the providing nations and their investing partners north of the Mediterranean, but also has served to boost the stability of both sets of countries, offering a lifeline away from petro-destabilisers so intent on harvesting profit that they would sacrifice climate and society both to swell their coffers.

This renewable boom is enabled by the power of the EU's Eastern flank, which has fortified the border with Russia to become an impregnable signal of the sole Beacon of Democracy's will to not just survive, but to thrive.

As a threadbare Moscow struggles to grasp the collapse in oil and gas revenue, greenshoots are emerging where ordinary people mobilise to cast off the old shackles and guide Russia into the common prosperity we have painstakingly crafted.

Of course, for the Russian Federation all roads to EU membership lead through Kyiv, whose mineral wealth has propelled a war ravaged nation to peace and success at breakneck pace. This point was well made by ex-president Zelensky, whose speech at the closing ceremony of Ukraine's presidency received a ten minute standing ovation.

"The hand of friendship will always be extended," he said, "but unless Russia makes full amends for the horrors wrought by its recently deceased president, trust will remain beyond our power to give."

Memoiren

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Czy to bajka, czy nie bajka?

A better future... We drive electric cars, and electricity to them is provided by wind and nuclear power plants. Non-organic plastic replaced glass, in a garbage incineration plant with efficient filters made waste pits finally unnecessary. The air in Polish cities is suitable for breathing even in winter, and in summer we are not afraid of drought and lack of water. And instead of arming, we spend money on health protection and equal opportunities for children and adolescents. All this may be possible, but I'll put it between the fairy tales...

Den gröna framtiden

I would like to see a future where there has been a major change for the benefit of the environment and the future of the planet. Solar, wind and hydropower have replaced fossil energy sources. Buildings, houses, etc. are equipped to be self-sufficient both in terms of energy and, for example, basic raw materials such as potatoes and the like. Public transport has switched entirely to electric vehicles and there are incredible high-speed trains that can compete with flights between major cities.

Naturen er reddet

You have invented a technology that effectively breaks down CO2 from the atmosphere and you are back to a world without climate change. The gardens are healthy with beautiful coral reefs and full of fish. In the North there is winter with long periods of snow. Farther south in Europe there are rarer forest fires and normal amounts of rain that give good breeding. There are no climate refugees. They appreciate nature more and seek it out often. Animal welfare is also an important focus area and you eat less meat. Smartphones and computers are used less often, and you are less accessible by phone/mail both privately and at work.

Podróże w czasie

In 2040, the world looked very different than it did twenty years ago. Poland has become a peaceful, safe and united country around common values. The streets were clean, the cities well organized, and people lived in harmony, valuing their traditions and culture. There was an atmosphere of tranquility in the towns, with children playing in the backyards without fear, the elderly walking in the parks, and the neighbours knowing each other and helping each other in their daily lives. Local communities thrived and small family businesses thrived, supported by modern technologies and a conscious approach to the economy. There were no problems with crime or riots. The authorities have made sure that the country develops in a sustainable and safe way. Young people had good prospects – they could educate themselves at a high level, develop their passions and be sure that they would find a decent job. Thanks to a wise economic policy, Poland became self-sufficient – agriculture flourished, domestic companies produced modern technologies, and people enjoyed stability and prosperity. Society was united, proud of its history and ready to build the future in accordance with its own values. In the evening, sitting on the terrace of his house, John looked at the quiet streets and felt gratitude. He knew that his children were growing up in a world where they could feel safe, respect their roots and build a better future for generations to come.

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A Self-Sufficient Beacon

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