Climate change, a common task

Climate change is no longer the distant rumor that troubled industry and society 15 years ago. Unfortunately, it is now our present reality, and one of the greatest concerns of the Spaniards. This is demonstrated by the latest figures from the CIS, which reflect how 14.6% of Spanish citizens fear the climate situation, multiplying almost by five in just a few months.

From the industry we are no strangers to this reality. We are probably facing the greatest structural transformation experienced since the Industrial Revolution. Our industries must change their production models, our people must acquire new skills and we must all work together to undertake a dizzying change in record time. We have experienced it in these months with the energy crisis caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, but also by drought, depletion of fossil fuels and generalized increase in temperatures. All this is impacting our industries and, ultimately, our society.

We must not look the other way, no one, not industry, not institutions, not society itself. It is time to promote the energy transition and do so by joining forces, strengthening the European Union. We must make courageous decisions as a continent, no longer as a country, and bet on a more sustainable production in all industries. It is no longer enough to buy oil and gas from third countries that do not meet our European standards, nor to import metals and rare earths from China without taking into account their extractive processes. For many years we have avoided producing components and raw materials that could involve complex processes on our territory. We can no longer follow this path, it is time to relocate strategic industries to Europe. Not only to generate greater wealth and reduce our dependence, but also to ensure that we produce more responsibly, according to our European standards throughout the value chain, not only in the final product.

In this way, we have to bet on renewable energies, especially in a country like Spain, with the water, solar and wind resources we have. It is urgent to lower the electricity bill for citizens and for industry, which is being stifled and losing competitiveness every day due to energy costs. To do so, the only possible way is renewables, but to promote them strategic investments and a legal framework that facilitates them are necessary, and that until now has generated many difficulties.

There is an urgent need for greater political and institutional commitment at national and European level. It is time to face this common task, probably the most complex we will face as a society in all of recent history. The future of future generations depends on its success, so that our sons and daughters do not look with astonishment to the past and wonder why no one did anything when we were still on time.

Source: La Voz de Galicia