While curfews still apply in many FAIRTRADE growing countries and public life has largely come to a standstill, we are already planning to gradually remove our masks in Austria and will soon be opening the borders to our neighboring countries again. The first wave of the pandemic appears to be largely over, now the situation needs to be kept under control. Now it is time to look into the future again. The Corona measures focus on protecting risk groups, especially older people. One of the most pressing issues that is essential for the next generations has been pushed into the background.

No mask helps against climate change and there will never be a vaccination. If we hesitate now, we will lose the chance to secure a livelihood for tomorrow's generation. There are many commitments to sustainability, but the prophecies of doom among those who speak of closed seasons and periods of protection for the global economy are also increasing. It would be fatal to see environmental regulations as an obstacle to the economy now. Rather, they can be a motor for future-oriented growth if you set the right framework for it. It would also be catastrophic for the longer-term political situation to erode workers' rights and weaken trade unions in economically difficult times.

What is needed now are companies that are willing to look ahead and that want to shape instead of reflexively relying on less future-oriented concepts. And political designers who support that. The time has come to tackle changes in the tax system that have long been required. After the immediate support measures in the crisis, a time for reform should now follow.

It is important to make our location future-oriented and still business-friendly. The corona crisis has its price, that's for sure. The shutdown with all its consequences cost an unbelievable amount of money, it can no longer be changed and was a necessary evil to save human lives.

However, we can decide whether we want to pay this price primarily on the back of small and medium-sized incomes and through debts for future generations, or via CO2 taxes and levies for financial transactions. The time has come to put the well-being of many over profit less and finally tackle what many experts have been demanding for years. The coming months and years will show whether the crisis is actually an opportunity for our society or a magnifying glass for injustices that are increasing. It is up to us to make change happen. The time for excuses is over.

CONTRIBUTION TO OPTION GERMANY


Written by FAIRTRADE Austria

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