Democracy, mobility and climate change: what's next?

Ulrike Guérot: “There is also a kind of epistemic problem: we know most of the data, and yet we still do not act on it. Climate protection is a good example: we have been talking about global warming for 40 years, and only in recent years have we started to implement substantial policies and raise public awareness — but in a way, one could say this is happening rather late. What we absolutely must avoid is allowing the issue of mobility to lead to a form of ‘re‑feudalization.’ It is statistically evident: if you look at income disparities, it becomes clear that mobility — in terms of freedom — risks becoming something only for the wealthy, a luxury. You can see this very clearly in cities like London or Paris with car regulations and parking fees: owning a car in a major city has become a luxury. What I believe we can do is ‘give cities back to the citizens.’ I see this as a very democratic objective. If you look at the surface area of a city today, most of the space is allocated to cars. Why not give cities back to citizens? This would help avoid climate policies being perceived as a restriction of freedom. There are two dangers: first, re‑feudalization (where flying, driving, or eating meat would become privileges reserved for the wealthy), which is very dangerous for our democratic societies built on equality; and second, a shift toward digital control policies, like what we experienced with barcodes during COVID. We must navigate what I call the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of mobility: freedom, climate (resources), and the social dimension at the center. We must reclaim our cities. If we can reverse the post–Second World War idea that cities should be designed 80% for cars and instead return them to citizens, it would be socially fair, climate‑friendly, and protective of freedom. That is what I refer to as my Bermuda Triangle.”