EU-DIGEST

Worldwide poll by Pleon Communications in 27 countries sponsored by Shell shows today's 17-24 years olds reluctant to make personal sacrifices to solve effects environmental challenges

The poll shows that most of those questioned believe that by 2050 people will travel in flying cars, get much of their power from renewable energy and live a life of luxury in a world without borders. That optimistic image of the future emerged from a survey of young adults in 27 countries worldwide. And while survey respondents believe their generation will have to adapt to rising sea levels and other effects of global warming, they are reluctant to make personal sacrifices that could help address the problem. The worldwide poll gives a fascinating insight into the younger generations view of the future.

Their answers to 24 questions about hopes and fears show they are largely optimistic about their own welfare. Most expect to be better off than their parents by 2050. More young adults in Nigeria, India, Mexico and Russia think so than in any other surveyed country. On the other hand, Dutch and Japanes respondents were the most pessimistic, expecting to earn less than their parents. Although they fear climate change, very few young people say they are prepared to rein in their economic ambitions to help protect the environment. Over 80% of those surveyed want to live in a big house and to travel the world. Although two thirds are ready to make small changes in their lives to help the environment, such as composting or recycling, they are less willing when it comes to tougher lifestyle choices that could have the largest impact on climate change. Only one-fifth of respondents are prepared to take fewer long-distance holiday trips and just a third will change their diet to eat only locally grown food.

Labels: Future, Polls, Pollution and the environment, Shell Oil, World Economy, Youth

Why We Should Rejoice After Fifty Years Of The EU - without unity in Europe even the Germans would be eating with chopsticks-Chris Davies

So the EU is 50. It's not a bad age and its future looks secure. Recent concerns about global warming and future energy supplies have reminded governments of their dependence on one another and reinforced the desire to move forward together."Think of the improvements to water and air quality, cleaner beaches, protected habitats, more recycling, better waste management, banning of dangerous chemicals, and now the raft of measures designed to slow climate change." Pollution pays no respect to national boundaries and this is action most people welcome.

Do you have a mobile phone? In 1987 the EU introduced a common standard for digital mobile telephones.It created a huge market for manufacturers and gave a massive stimulus to innovation - a good example of Europe at its best.

Can you imagine any European country trying to negotiate alone with the emerging superpower that is China? Even the Germans would end up eating with chopsticks!

Labels: Environment, EU 50, European Unity, Future, Politics, World Trade

Europe of 2057: A big future is seen in poll - by Meg Bortin

The Europe of 2057 is a larger place, its borders stretched eastward to encompass Turkey and, probably, Russia. It is a greener place, where wind and sun power have supplanted fossil fuels. It has been the battleground for at least one new war. And the dominant language is English.This vision of Europe's future emerges from a new trans-Atlantic poll timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the European Union.

These images contain good news for supporters of Europe's historic endeavor begun on March 25, 1957, with the signing of the Treaty of Rome: Fifty years from now, more than 5,300 European respondents strongly agreed, the European Union will still exist. In overwhelming numbers, European respondents also believe that the euro is here to stay and will be the standard currency for Europe in 2057.

Perhaps the most startling reply concerns the possible inclusion of Russia in the EU, given that the issue is not even on the table today. While three former Soviet republics have joined the 27- member bloc and others , like Ukraine are seeking entry, Russia — after looking to Europe in the 1990s — has pulled back.By even larger numbers, respondents envisage the Europe of 2057 as encompassing Turkey.Finally, in a response likely to ruffle feathers in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, and Rome, respondents overwhelmingly agreed that English would be the language most widely spoken in Europe 50 years from now. That view was shared by the French (71 percent), the Germans (73 percent), the Spanish (76 percent), the Italians (81 percent), and, of course, the British (83 percent).

Labels: Eastern Europe, Future, Polls: Perceptions, Russia, Turkey