Content of this unit
What is Circular Economy?
The circular economy has already become part of the list of topics to take into nowadays, but it’s not yet on the agenda of all institutions and administrations; if only some companies are starting to awake for this, let alone people.
Circular economy is a concept that proposes to break the linearity in which humanity has been creating value chains that generate non-refundable products in natural cycles. Change this paradigm is not only a great economic challenge - which it is -, but a great cultural challenge. The battle for a circular economy is both cultural and economic. The requirement to prefer natural nutrients instead of artificial ones is individual and corporate; the ability to recycle waste, too. The same concerning mobility options. But, both personal and corporate perspectives are intertwined in the market, and move in legal frameworks that must play a decisive role in sustainable circularity, at local and global levels.
The circular economy must involve the participation of all of us: from anonymous citizens, to SMEs, corporations, ONGs, municipalities and Government. It is a new paradigm that must be landed. Every day, we see more and more experiences of companies, cities, universities; showing that we are on the right track but, at the same time, that we should go faster than this, in the rhythm of sustainability. It is fundamental that circular economy goes faster than the deterioration of the Earth and this implies changes on local agendas and global markets.
It should be an economic and cultural change. The first step is to inform and educate, so people can be aware, understand the need and be part of the change. This is also a new opportunity to find new occupations. The report European sectorial trends: the next decade (CEDEFOP 2016) says that “technological advance, through developments such as automation and the impact of the ‘internet of things’, sometimes termed the fourth industrial revolution, is expected to have major and lasting effects on job content and tasks. Automation, using robots and artificial intelligence, is already replacing routine tasks (…). These changes increasingly require people to take on more complex tasks that combine technical and generic skills (…) the shift to a greener, more sustainable economy will increase demand for green skills and jobs across sectors.”
Circular Economy is, in fact, a life change: to the Earth and to our own life.
Circular economy is a concept that proposes to break the linearity in which humanity has been creating value chains that generate non-refundable products in natural cycles. Change this paradigm is not only a great economic challenge - which it is -, but a great cultural challenge. The battle for a circular economy is both cultural and economic. The requirement to prefer natural nutrients instead of artificial ones is individual and corporate; the ability to recycle waste, too. The same concerning mobility options. But, both personal and corporate perspectives are intertwined in the market, and move in legal frameworks that must play a decisive role in sustainable circularity, at local and global levels.
The circular economy must involve the participation of all of us: from anonymous citizens, to SMEs, corporations, ONGs, municipalities and Government. It is a new paradigm that must be landed. Every day, we see more and more experiences of companies, cities, universities; showing that we are on the right track but, at the same time, that we should go faster than this, in the rhythm of sustainability. It is fundamental that circular economy goes faster than the deterioration of the Earth and this implies changes on local agendas and global markets.
It should be an economic and cultural change. The first step is to inform and educate, so people can be aware, understand the need and be part of the change. This is also a new opportunity to find new occupations. The report European sectorial trends: the next decade (CEDEFOP 2016) says that “technological advance, through developments such as automation and the impact of the ‘internet of things’, sometimes termed the fourth industrial revolution, is expected to have major and lasting effects on job content and tasks. Automation, using robots and artificial intelligence, is already replacing routine tasks (…). These changes increasingly require people to take on more complex tasks that combine technical and generic skills (…) the shift to a greener, more sustainable economy will increase demand for green skills and jobs across sectors.”
Circular Economy is, in fact, a life change: to the Earth and to our own life.
