Archive - Page 3 of 5 - Accidental European Staging

Locked Down, in a Good Way: Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power is often-talked about, but how much do we really know about it? How is nuclear energy kept safe & secure? What measures are put in place to protect citizens today? And what measures need to be put in place tomorrow to ensure greater safety? With these questions in mind, I attempt to explore the ‘3S’ approach to nuclear energy: safety, security & safeguarding, and its implications for Europe.

ENERGY TRANSITION

Home Is Where You’ll Find Net-Zero

The European Commission has launched a “Renovation Wave”, with the ambition to light, heat and cool every home without “breaking the bank or the planet”. What will this mean for EU citizens in the long run?

EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY

The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present & Future? Mass Anxiety & Democracy

2020 is nearing its end, and anxieties are at an all time high. What does this mean for democracy? Using Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas story, I attempt to explore the question. This article is the first episode of a series called “If the Universe is Expanding, Then So Should Democracy”, which aims to explain the inspiration behind Accidental European.

EDUCATION

Why Rewiring Our Financial System Should Concern Us All?

How can finance better serve our economy, society, and planet? Finance is at the centre of everything. It determines which companies grow, which projects are developed, which innovations come to life, and which values shape our world. Until now, it has been wired to solely focus on profit. Today, the EU is attempting to rewire our financial system to meet the needs of society and planet. What I want to know is… does everyone understand the true meaning of this?

ENVIRONMENT

Across Europe, Urban Mobility is Going Green

As Europe reboots, European cities–in tandem with the EU’s recovery plan–are putting fresh policies in place for urban mobility to better address global warming.

EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY

Can Europe Help Redesign Democracy in a Post-COVID-19 World?

Cracks in democratic institutions are widening all over the globe. Both in Europe and abroad, politics on both sides of the compass are not helping to prevent polarisation – especially in this era of rapid change. As 2020 judders into its last quarter, it’s perhaps a good time to consider how next year will unravel. In this think piece, David Tirr takes a look at what Europe can do to stem the tide of political degradation.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Artificial Intelligence for the EU: Why Trust-Centric Policy Is So Important

The EU is already ahead of the game on AI regulation. Going forward, it should focus on trust if it wants to get the most out of this fast expanding technology.

ENERGY TRANSITION

Want to Reduce CO2 Emissions? We Might Need to Embrace Nuclear Power

Tackling climate change will require an enormous energy system transformation. Can we afford to say “no” to any technology that reduces CO2 emissions? Is nuclear energy the villain that we often think it to be? As the debate around this continues, the EU’s positioning of nuclear energy in the Taxonomy Regulation–its new classification system for sustainable activities–could make all the difference.

September 1, 2020

UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME

Germany Adopted a Universal Basic Income, and Nobody Noticed

Last year in Germany, the Supreme Court capped job centre penalties, effectively removing the legal requirement to seek employment. Is the paradigm shifting? Could this be the precursor to universal basic income (UBI)? And will UBI really create the utopia its advocates hope for?

ENVIRONMENT

Eureka! Europe’s Green Dream

The COVID-19 crisis is giving Europe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let’s take it.