In the year 2124, Europe faces imminent destruction from the climate crisis, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. The collapse of the renewable energy industry exacerbates the situation, widening the gap between the rich and poor. With the death of many scientists and the loss of crucial knowledge, hope seems dim. However, a group of diverse experts convenes secretly to devise a plan to confront the crisis.

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It is the year 2124. Europe is on the brink of destruction due to the climate crisis, with no means of repair. Natural disasters are common, and half of the European population has been wiped out.

Apart from the obvious tragedy in loss of life, the population wipe has presented several challenges in addressing the crisis.

The renewable energy industry has virtually collapsed, due to economic instability and damage to many of the structures that were once used. An example of this is in Denmark: coastal flooding in 2101 destroyed many of the country’s offshore wind and tidal power stations, which also housed a large proportion of Europe’s stored energy from renewables.

A collapse in the economy has created more animosity than ever between different groups: the rich can afford the exorbitant prices of the last vestiges of oil, coal and gas, while the poor are doomed to live without regular electricity.

Much scientific knowledge has been lost, as it was kept within private sector industry and not the public domain. The death of many top scientists has made Europeans less able to develop strategies to cope with the changing climate.

…

As a penultimate measure, a group of distinguished individuals from various European industries come together in secrecy. Their goal is clear: to tackle the crisis head-on by pooling their expertise and resources. With the meeting held in an underground bunker, they hope that at least, where they are, they are safe for the time being.

At the helm of the gathering is an emissary from the once prestigious Svalbard Global Seed Vault; now a shell of its former self, largely lost to the ravages of time. He carries with him a unique seed, a relic of immeasurable power: one borne from the ashes of the last Sicilian Limonium Catanense plant. This species is extinct due to one of Mount Etna’s now-frequent eruptions. The emissary scans the hall, looking for a suitable candidate.

…

The meeting commences. The conversations that follow are ones of hope and heartbreak: politicians debate over what to tell their constituents; scientists and meteorologists propose solutions (none of which seem viable for long term survival); doctors discuss options to alleviate suffering; and historians lament over what they could have learnt from the past.

The conversation then becomes inclusive, the different specialists realising that with more interdisciplinary knowledge, they might have worked together to find solutions before the crisis had reached this stage. They could have, should have.

At this point in the deliberations, the emissary stands up.

“I come to you with one last bastion of hope”, he croaks.

“We know what we should have done… what if we still have time? I carry a seed that possesses a mysterious power. With it, one can travel through time and change the past.”

There is an uproar of laughter. For a few, laughter turns to tears and then to anger.

“Who invited him?” A scientist loudly sneers.

Then the emissary disappears in plain sight. Someone screams.

Seconds later, he reappears, with windswept hair and a touch of redness to his usually pallid cheeks.

“I travelled to Jutland, before it was lost”, he breathes, and opens his palm to reveal a handful of wet sand. Ravaged by the floods of 2101, Jutland is now under the North Sea.

There is silence.

Some people rise and leave the bunker. After the long conversations, they are resigned to destruction, and want nothing to do with such nonsense.

Others whisper angrily, unwilling to leave but also against such ideas.

A great proportion of the room, however, is held rapt.

The old man continues, “I propose a vote. One person should take this seed and travel through time, bringing minds together. It will be someone in this room, and we will vote to elect that individual.

It is a perilous journey. They may not return. Therefore that person must be willing to go.”

…

What seems like an age passes.

The vote has taken place. The once calamitous bunker is still in a state of shock. With the revelation, one religious leader has fainted, and a doctor is monitoring her in a corner.

An esteemed mathematician counts the votes, pauses, and then looks up at his peers.

“Molina Duvent!” He bellows.

A wiry, young woman stumbles up to the mathematician. Although Molina is known for her thoughtful writings on history, she originally trained in environmental science. Shy but with a natural likeability, Molina is admired by many.

“You have been chosen for this journey,” the mathematician looks her up and down, and bows his head.

The old emissary steps forward, delicately handing the seed to Molina.

“You must plan with your colleagues. You must do this quickly, and you must do it carefully.”

“I will try my best,” Molina whispers.

He turns to the room.

“This congregation of minds has voted Molina as the suitable candidate. Many voted for her, but not all of you did. Remember now is not the time for jealousy or dissent. Molina has been chosen. She needs your support. Help her as you would your friend.”

…

The bright minds converge once again. They spend three days and three nights planning, stopping for little sustenance and only snatches of sleep.

It is deemed that Molina will travel to specific points in history, tracking the development of renewable energy (seen as a key weapon in the fight) and in the process encourage different minds of the times to work together.

She will track her progress on a map, which (when technology is developed) will be digitally available to the public. This widespread accessibility is to help with the preservation of knowledge.

She will turn to the public, in time, to help her fill out the map, with the history of people, renewable energy initiatives, quotes and important places. This will make the capturing of knowledge a joint enterprise – giving power and onus to even the smallest of people in the fight against climate change. It will bring together all races, classes, genders and backgrounds, and highlight the beauty of working together towards a common goal.

Molina will not be alone… the people of Europe will help her save their continent.

…

Soon, it is time for Molina to embark on her journey. With plans well read, and goodbyes reluctantly said, she is ready. The distinguished individuals gather in a circle, with her in the centre.

She closes her eyes and steadies herself.

She squeezes the seed and recites the mantra given to her by the emissary. This mantra will activate the seed’s power.

She steps into the unknown.

This story encapsulates various levels of collaboration, reflecting the dire circumstances facing Europe in 2124. Initially, experts from diverse fields convene to address the climate crisis, highlighting collaboration on a regional and national scale. This collaboration extends internationally as representatives from different European countries come together to pool their expertise and resources. The selection of Molina for the time-traveling mission further emphasizes cross-frontier cooperation, as she embarks on a journey to different historical periods to influence the course of renewable energy development.

Cultural diversity is a central theme as Molina engages with different historical contexts, promoting the exchange of ideas and information across various cultures. The plan to document her journey and involve the public in mapping out historical and renewable energy initiatives underscores the emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity, aligning with the principles endorsed by the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and UNESCO.

The story underscores the importance of active participation and cooperation between Molina and the local communities she encounters during her time-traveling mission. It emphasizes a people-centred approach, focusing on the collective efforts of individuals to address the crisis rather than on specific places or objects.

Furthermore, the narrative highlights the interconnectedness of heritage, history, and culture, presenting cultural heritage as a valuable resource for addressing contemporary challenges. The principle of sustainable development is woven throughout the story, as Molina seeks to leverage historical knowledge and cultural exchange to forge a path towards a more sustainable future.

Attention to the inclusion of youth is evident in Molina's selection for the mission, showcasing the importance of engaging younger generations in addressing complex issues such as climate change. Additionally, the story illustrates cross-frontier cooperation between cultural and educational structures, emphasizing cultural cooperation as a fundamental value for overcoming shared challenges.

Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating collaboration and cooperation, enabling broader reach and engagement with diverse audiences. The use of digital platforms to document Molina's journey and involve the public in mapping out historical and renewable energy initiatives exemplifies how technology can foster networking and cooperation while ensuring accessibility for all.