# "Newsletter" 2050 by Group 4 (SDG 12)

By 2050, an entire new generation of politicians will govern the countries of Europe. Hopefully, these people will realize that to avoid a climate catastrophy, we need radical changes. However, our society is not ready for this: most of us are inherently self-interested. These radical changes can only be achieved by firm and strict governance, which, despite the noble goal, can easily turn into autocracy and lead to a system of surveillance and citizen categorization (exaggarated, inspired by [China's Social Credit System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Credit_System)). The document was also inspired by the *Life as It Is* reading material given in class.

## The LinkedIn of X Æ A-Xii

<center>

| X Æ A-Xii - Solar Engineer |
| ------------------------------------ |
| <img src="https://wojakparadise.net/wojak/11270/img" width=200> |
| **Born:** 2022 <br> **Looking for work:** no <br> **Looking for co-housing:** yes <br> **SCP:** 765 |

</center>

Hi, I'm X Æ A-Xii. Why yes, my parents were a big fan of the late Elon Musk. I'm currently looking for a new co-housing in the Flemish Brabant region. I'm leaving my current habitation because I want to live closer to my parents.

| **Carreer** | |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| 2046 - | Solar Engineer at *Solarpunk NV* |
| 2043 - 2046 | Junior Solarist at *Solarpunk NV* |
| 2040 - 2043 | Seller Associate at *Jeroen's Shroom Market* |

| **Education** | | |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| 2040 - 2045 | Solar Engineering MSc at *Vrije Universiteit Brussel* | Major in consumption efficienecy |
| 2036 - 2037 | Compulsory Self-Sufficiency Training | Excellent grades |

**References**

> X Æ A-Xii has excellent craftsman skills. He turned out very useful in our cohabiting community. I'm sad to see him go!

Nancy - former neighbour

> Extensive knowledge about efficient consumption of solar energy.

Tracy - former client

> X Æ A-Xii is one of my best colleagues. This guy does a lot for our society. Also, this guy helps! What a great guy. #uplifting #solarpunk

Chad - colleauge

> I am pleased to do business with Solarpunk, represented by X Æ A-Xii. Also, excellent social credit score. A model citizen!

Scott - City Government Official, client
## A day in the life of X Æ A-Xii

I typically wake up around 6 in the morning, unless it's Friday, Saturday, or Sunday - I don't work on these days. I have cereals or eggs for breakfast. The eggs come from our co-habitation's own chickens. See, we have a minifarm that supplies us with vegetables and eggs. It's not much, but enough to provide breakfast for everyone just about every second day.

If it's a workday, I ride my bicycle to the nearby office space my employer and many other like-minded companies are renting for a very reasonable fee from our Government. I work as a solar engineer. In the office, I encounter many people, not only my own colleagues. The firms in the house often collaborate and share insights, as they do not look at each other as competitors. Many of them churn the same amount of profit for several years. The leadership is satisfied as long as their employees are content and they also earn a comfortable living. In fact, all companies stop growing after a while. It's part of a strictly monitored set of regulations. My work consists of designing new devices that can absorb sunlight, or trying to make the old models somewhat more efficient. I eat lunch with my best buddy, Chad. By 4 pm, I have worked 7 hours, so I go home. Overtime is rare, our clients have more patience than they used to. Not that they have a choice.

At home, I first tick off my chores: I (obviously) maintain the devices that supply our community with electricity. If Nancy needs help, I help in the garden. In my free time, I read or consume some other form of media. These days I visit my elders almost every day. The train ride takes around 70 minutes. They are both above the age of 90 and in need of more help. I enjoy spending time with them, if it's a Friday, I even sleep over. Not to mention it increases my social credit, which is very important in our society. For example, I need at least 500 points to ride the train and 700 to rent a car. Although my parents are old, they do not suffer from any particular health problems. My mother had colorectal cancer a few years ago, but thankfully she was cured in no time.

## 3 important news items of the day

- The last petrol-powered car in Europe has been sent to Africa
- For the first time in Belgium, there is no delay in any public transportation due to AI drivers
- Low social credit score citizens protest exclusion from several public services
- Cash usage ended in all states of the European Federation
- New modification of the GDPR passed by the Government, security expert claims the original purpose is lost

## Values and norms for 2050

- Everything is reusable and repairable
- Fair minimum wage - fair income for everybody
- Proper digital privacy
- Self-awareness on daily consumption