Jette Mortensen
As I cycled to work this morning, the crisp air and clear skies reminded me why I love living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Passing by the city's iconic bike lanes, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. After all, I've spent the last 20 years of my career as a city planner working on projects that have helped shape this green, bike-friendly metropolis. The satisfaction of seeing our plans come to life, like the transformation of car-centric streets into pedestrian-friendly zones, has been deeply rewarding.
However, lately, as a 48-year-old, I've found myself increasingly thoughtful about the broader impact of our efforts. Many of the goods and services consumed here are produced elsewhere, often in countries with lax environmental regulations. This realization has made me question whether we're merely engaging in greenwashing—promoting a façade of sustainability while ignoring deeper issues. The concept of "green growth" sounds appealing, but it often seems like a way to continue prioritizing economic expansion under the guise of environmental responsibility. We invest heavily in technological innovations that promise to reduce our carbon footprint without requiring significant changes to our lifestyle. It's a comforting narrative, but is it realistic?
One of the reasons why our cities are cleaner today than in the 1970s is precisely this externalization of many of the dirtiest economic sectors to other countries, such as China. As I ponder these questions, I can't help but feel conflicted. I love my job and am passionate about finding solutions to our environmental challenges, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder if we're on the right path. Are we fooling ourselves into believing that a few high-tech projects can save us from climate change? Or is it time to consider more fundamental changes to our way of life? For now, I'll continue to work diligently, hoping that my efforts contribute to a better future. But I can't help but hope for a broader conversation about what true sustainability looks like, beyond the shiny surface of green growth.