Jan Rotmans

"We do not live in an era of change,

but in a change of era."

Prof. Dr. Ir. Jan Rotmans, the international authority in the field of transitions and sustainability, provides governments, businesses, and most importantly, you – the individual – with the solution to the chaos and crises that we all feel.

He advocates for 11 transitions to maintain a liveable society and planet, going beyond the fear of change.

Instead of just talking about the doom scenario’s he shows us what can be done, and what there is to gain. Not only with your mind but also with your heart.

The 11 transitions

The change that the world so desperately needs lies within ourselves, as we are the system. It is reflected in what we own and what we eat, the way we dress, travel, consume and reuse, whom we vote for, and which bank we use.
Research indicates that we only need 25% of the population to reach a tipping point and make the green, inclusive transition happen.

1. Energy

The energy transition is about building a completely new energy system, shifting from a central, fossil fuel-based, top-down approach to a decentralised, sustainable, and bottom-up approach. As part of this transition, there is a shift from coal, oil, and gas to solar, wind energy, and other renewable sources.

2. Resources

We currently waste around 90% of our resources, and this is becoming too costly. Sustainable solutions such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric cars require a significant amount of resources, particularly critical metals like lithium, neodymium, and cobalt. The extraction of these metals consumes a considerable amount of fossil energy which leads to pollution. China dominates almost the entire production line, turning resources into a geopolitical weapon. Therefore, Europe and the Netherlands need to develop a resource policy rapidly.

3. Agriculture & Food

Current intensive agriculture is detrimental to humans, animals, nature, and the environment. The transition of agriculture that is in harmony with nature and the farmer is needed. This includes embracing circular agriculture on a more regional scale and promoting bio-based agriculture as a source of raw materials for the chemical and construction industries.

4. Circular

The current economy is still linear, wasteful, and polluting. Only 7% of the economy is circular, focused on recycling or reusing. However, recycling requires a significant amount of energy and often results in low-value applications. Therefore, the only real solution is to endlessly reuse resources and materials. It begins and ends with using less materials.

5. Financial

The current financial system is not future-proof, as evidenced by the major financial crisis in 2008. There is no brake on the financial system, and money has become an end in itself rather than a means. 95% of the money remains within the virtual economy to generate even more money instead of being used to invest in a better world. Therefore, a transition is needed towards a financial system that is fairer and more inclusive in order to make the world more sustainable.

6. Spatial

The Netherlands is the lowest-lying and most densely populated delta in the world, with the highest density of people, animals, cars, roads, and nature. We are facing tremendous challenges, and all of this needs to be coordinated in such a way that it fits on every square kilometer. This can only be achieved through a vision and comprehensive plan that prioritises the balance between people and nature.

7. Healthcare

In the current healthcare system, the focus isn’t on the individual but on large healthcare corporations. It’s bureaucratic, complex, and driven by efficiency and profitability. What is needed is a shift towards a healthcare system where the individual is once again at the center: from profit to people-centered care. Based on trust, attention, and time, with a central focus on prevention.

8. Education

In the current education system, the focus is not on the child but on the educational institution. Every child is treated equally, which actually creates inequality. As a result, we only tap into a small fraction of children's potential. A shift is needed towards personalised education, where children are given the space to develop to their fullest potential and where the big questions in life are at the center.

9. Social

Our society is rapidly changing from top-down and vertical to bottom-up and horizontal. We need to transition from a box society to a fluid society. Our major systems such as pensions, labor market, healthcare, education, and democracy need to be overhauled, searching for values beyond efficiency and profit, so that the individual is placed at the center once again. From everyone is equal to everyone gets equal opportunities.

10. Democracy

Everyone claims to be in favour of democracy, but few still have faith in it. Many feel unheard and unseen within the current democratic system. A shift is needed towards a system that is closer to the people, with new forms of participation so that individuals have more influence at a local, regional, and international level.

11. Personal

This is the most crucial transition, the foundation of everything. At its core, it is about overcoming our deepest fears for change. It also involves a different form of consciousness, that connects us to a greater whole. To achieve a global breakthrough, we need 25% of the population to consciously choose a different, more sustainable lifestyle.

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