The COVID-19 pandemic is putting citizens in Europe and beyond in an unprecedented situation. We should treat this unexpected challenge as a wake-up call, forcing us to reconsider our priorities and values, and the sustainability of our societies.
Now, as we deal with the immediate consequences of the pandemic, we must keep a clear and determined eye not only on recovering from the crisis, but particularly on rebuilding a new, better, society. Climate change and more extreme weather events will not be put on hold. Unlike biological pandemics like COVID-19, climate change will not "peak". The recovery plans that Europe has put in place are a unique opportunity for us to accelerate the implementation of the sustainable development goals, to avoid doomsday.
Civil society can lead the way....