This thread will summarize the key messages of my talk on #ecomodernism yesterday at #ForumNYE2020. @NucleairForum /1
In 1953 the North Sea flood caused a flood of massive proportions, flooding large regions of the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. The Netherlands was affected the most, having a death toll over 1800 people. /2 
After 1953, the Dutch have greatly reduced their vulnerability by investing in protective infrastructure. They were able to afford this expensive infrastructure, because they became wealthier. This was called the Delta programme and it protects them against exceptional floods. /3
In the same way, higher incomes in developing countries will enable the people in developing countries to afford more expensive infrastructure to protect them against climate change. They are the ones who will suffer the most from the consequences of climate change.
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Therefor they will need more growth, but also more energy. Think about airconditioning against hot weather, refrigerators against foodborne illnesses, desalination plants against water shortages: they all need MORE energy. /5
Big challenge: if 10 billion people would use as much energy as somebody who lives in Sweden right now, global energy consumption x 5! /6
Our best shot is decoupling human progress from its environmental impacts (the central idea of ecomodernism): doing more with less. More energy with less CO2. More food, less agricultural land (and more room for nature). More prosperity with less resources. /7
It's not economic growth. It's our infrastructure that depends on fossil fuels. Using less energy or shrinking the economy will not change our dependence on fossil infrastructure. /10
Also, ecomodernism is a pragmatic vision, which embraces all the solutions we will need. /8
Don't forget about other sectors next to electricity. Some are challenging to decarbonize and we don't have all the solutions yet. Therefor we will need to innovate to zero. /9
The EU Green Deal plays an important role in providing and deploying all of these new solutions. Once again, all solutions on the table, don't exclude them.
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In the 20th century we have mainly focused on problems, pointing to scapegoats. In the 21th century we will need to create a compelling story of problem solvers. An optimistic story we can all contribute to. /11
As ecomodernists, we want to change the face of the environmental movement and update it to a version that is ready for the 21st century. The environmental movement of the 21st century is one focused on all pragmatic solutions. /END
Oops, this is how the tweet numbering of my thread looks like...
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