It's early morning in the year 2040 and the chip implanted in my brain wakes me up at the appointed time. I wash up and have breakfast before taking the bus to work. There is no more private transport. Instead, I hear birds singing and see butterflies flying from flower to flower. It's hard to believe that my grandparents destroyed the environment with so much energy 20 years ago. As if they wanted to rob their children of their future. I am glad that everything turned out differently. Back then, far-right forces took over the government in many countries. After they left behind a shambles and also abolished democracies, they were sent packing by popular uprisings around the world. This was followed by an era of peace and freedom. An intact environment is now important to us, we have learned this lesson. And this era is still going on. Hopefully the old days will never, ever return.

In 2040, medicine is technologically advanced, pollution is greatly reduced. There are no limits and barriers, all men are equal, whether black or white. Women have the same rights and possibilities as men. Respect for every living being prevails.

I imagine that in 2025 I will be able to take a spontaneous day trip to the moon with my family. There we can experience the wonders of weightlessness and enjoy a fantastic view of the blue planet, our home, from above. Such a short break far above our usual hemisphere is a very special experience.

The morning sun bathes the Berlin skyline in a golden light. I open the windows of my energy self-sufficient apartment - built from recycled materials, climate-neutral and fully connected. My personal AI assistant suggests sustainable options for the day: An appointment with an international team in a virtual conference environment, followed by a visit to the urban garden on the roof of our apartment complex. Europe has changed fundamentally since 2025. The transition to a circular economy has been accelerated by political decisions and fossil fuels have long been a thing of the past. Thanks to new technologies and AI-supported automation, society is more flexible and fairer. Education is digital, individualized and available throughout life. Social security systems guarantee a decent life for all. Vehicles drive silently and autonomously on the roads. Public transportation is free, financed by a Europe-wide digital tax. The air is clean, green parks dot the cities. I meet up with friends in a café where food waste no longer exists - everything is used sustainably. As I enjoy the view, I think about the challenges that Europe has overcome: Climate change, social inequality and economic disruption. But by acting together, we have created a future that is more sustainable, fairer and more liveable - for all Europeans.