Misha Glenny argues that Europe is highly vulnerable because its core communication infrastructures (like clouds and team networks) are almost exclusively owned by foreign corporate monopolies. Some companies outside Europe tend to ignore data protection and related laws such as the GDPR or do not implement them correctly.

Proactively transition your workplace networks to secure, decentralised, open-source European communication alternatives. This builds a baseline of data privacy that protects local civic systems from foreign political interference.

Alternatives office suites include: LibreOffice, Calligra Suite, Ashampoo Office. 

Find and switch to European Alternatives for digital service and products. 

Mental elasticity underpins many democratic ideals: open debate, deliberation, and constructive consensus. Dr. Zmigrod has researched cognitive rigidity and its towards  dogmatic and un-democratic thinking. Engage in creative thinking to solve everyday problems. Practice seeing conflicts or relationships in multiple ways rather than through a single, fixed lens. Think about how you can think differently. 

Losing inter-personal skills exacerbates an isolated and polarised world. Building connections with others moves from social atrophy and technological reliance to a more democratic-oriented community.

Democracy is the power of the people. Engaging in or advocating for more participatory forms of decision-making is central in allowing the general populace to have their voice heard and their hopes realised through policy. Engage in participatory democracy and demand that governments actually implement the reports and proposals generated by these assemblies (that exist on local, national, and EU-levels ). 

Citizens assemblies are often randomly selected, but there are other ways to get involved in policy proposals and decision-making. Search on the European Citizens' Initiative page to start or sign a policy proposal for the EU!

Let us know about any experiences you have had with forms of participatory democracy. 

"As an investor, it's about taking out money out of funding climate pollution and supporting climate solutions... choose a fossil free bank... divest any personal investment, retirement funds, etc. out of funding fossil fuels." 

Kimberly Nicholas

This can feel like a daunting prospect, but there are resources to help you navigate this process. 

Bank Green is a non-profit that has data on many major banks and their involvement with the fossil fuel industry. See where your bank puts its money and find alternative banks that are more environmentally conscious. Divestment is a concrete way to ensure you are not (indirectly) funding the climate crisis.

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