Corona Sustainability Compass

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The coronavirus crisis is presenting our society with huge challenges. In crises, however, things often become possible that seemed inconceivable yesterday. During crises, new ideas for a better future can emerge.

Corona Sustainability Compass – manage today, master tomorrow

The coronavirus crisis is presenting our healthcare system with some huge challenges: those who have fallen prey to the virus have to be helped to prevent the virus from spreading, and vaccines and medicinal products need to be developed. The economy and public life are practically at a standstill. Businesses are facing a huge squeeze on their liquidity. Many companies are asking their employees to work short-time. Not only are people worried about their health, they are also worried about their economic survival. In an acute emergency situation of this kind, it is absolutely right for the state to provide generous and unbureaucratic support – to pave the way for the economy to recover as soon as the crisis is gone.

In managing the coronavirus crisis, however, it is also important to not lose sight of the bigger challenges ahead: the impact of global warming, the excess consumption of resources far beyond what planet earth can cope with and the loss of biodiversity. We believe that the current coronavirus crisis offers a unique opportunity to rethink current models of business and to shape a new economic start on a more sustainable and future-proof basis.

It is only natural that in times of great uncertainty, people prefer to rely on tried-and-tested routines instead of new, forward-looking strategies. In crises, however, things often become possible that seemed inconceivable yesterday. During crises, new ideas for a better future can also emerge. In the “Corona Sustainability Compass (CSC) – manage today, master tomorrow” blog, which will go online in the week before Easter, authors including leading scientists, decision-makers from the world of business and politicians will make their personal contribution to the debate.

COVID-19 stimulus packages represent a critical juncture

Governments around the world have implemented strong, science-based measures against the spread of COVID-19, ranging from border closures to the lockdown of approximately one-third of the world population. As a result, economic activity of most sectors and countries abruptly and strongly decreased. read more

How COVID-19 Can Drive Transformational Change in Cities

Across the world, from Wuhan to New York City, cities are on the frontline of the unfolding COVID-19 crisis. Starting with overwhelmed heath care systems, cities are experiencing unprecedented strain across social, economic and environmental systems as economies grind to a standstill. read more

Opportunities for transformative learning in the coronavirus cris

The coronavirus pandemic brings about drastic changes for a great many people. When social life returns to normal once the coronavirus crisis is over, a window of opportunity will open for launching innovative concepts and ideas for sustainable development. This is an area in which universities will be required to take responsibility. The example of Eberswalde University for Sustainable Developmen read more

Getting through the crisis: with the right goals in mind

Once again, the world finds itself in crisis mode. The 21st century is still young, but has already seen plenty of crises, each of which has been noteworthy in its own right. This crisis is particularly immediate, and therefore very dramatic as well. A virus has turned the world upside down. It is a matter of life and death. Points of weakness become evident, in the health care system, but also .. read more

Coronavirus/climate/innovation: why we have to save tomorrow's

It is only a few days since the German federal government launched a multi-billion Euro rescue package to cushion the consequences of the coronavirus crisis on businesses. And absolutely rightly so, as it is in the interests of society as a whole to successfully guide healthy businesses through these difficult times. read more

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