Fernando Valladares is widely regarded in Spain for his urgent warnings about the planet’s fragility and the solutions required to avert collapse. His book, Civilization Again, published by Destino Editions, compiles the main threats facing humanity and outlines the steps needed to reverse the trend. It traces how current consequences emerged and what changes are necessary to restore balance.
When the topic of food production comes up in the book, it is noted as one of the activities most damaging to the planet. The concern is not mainly about feeding people but about the profits driving industrial farming. The system prioritizes corporate gain over meeting real needs, at the expense of the environment and public health.
Food, energy, and health systems are deeply linked. The book emphasizes that these sectors contribute to climate change, pollution, and a widening social divide. It links environmental degradation with social injustice, showing how a global food regime can lead to hunger and preventable deaths while producing more food than is needed. The focus remains on profit and distribution rather than access to affordable, high-quality food. This dynamic has roots after the Second World War and leaves a mark on the environmental footprint through greenhouse gas emissions and fertilizer runoff. Paradoxically, cheap food production often results in waste and contributes to obesity in the global north, underscoring the need for a human-centered service model of nutrition.
Addressing energy, the book asks whether this sector holds the most promise due to the rapid growth of renewables or whether the outlook is more nuanced. The answer leans toward a balanced view with both progress and obstacles. The analysis suggests that there is no single magic fix. A shift beyond a simplistic switch from fossil fuels to renewables is essential. The title Re-Civilization signals a broader change that touches not just energy but the whole economic and social framework. In Spain, energy use is currently higher than needed for well-being. Studies indicate that living standards improve with greater access to energy up to a point; beyond that threshold, extra energy does not boost happiness or health and may reduce overall well-being. The aim is to halve current energy consumption while maintaining quality of life.
“In Spain we consume twice the energy we need to be happy and healthy,” reads a bold claim attributed to a leading ecologist involved in the discussion.
Plans for renewable energy are examined with realism. The goal is to multiply energy production significantly, but the book cautions against handing control wholly to energy companies. If market logic remains dominant, consumption may rise as it becomes easier and cheaper. A deeper shift is required to align energy policy with human rights and collective well-being rather than corporate profit. The book argues for a reordering of priorities that places people and their basic needs above the profits of a few.
The core debate centers on changing the prevailing economic model, which relies on extraction and heavy resource use. The proposed response is economic contraction as a means to improve living standards. The question stays: how can such a shift occur without triggering widespread social backlash?
Bold yet practical ideas emerge. A degrowth approach, once seen as alarming, is presented as a credible pathway. The European Union has explored degrowth through research funding and a three-day congress that brought together a spectrum of social actors to discuss implementation. The discussion acknowledges that a decline in consumption will happen and must be anticipated and managed. Planning for a gradual, orderly reduction can help cushion sectors most affected by changes in production and consumption. This moment presents a historic chance to reshape civilization.
As the large planetary challenges loom, the book asks what role the average citizen can play to slow destructive trends. Individual impact is real but limited. Even if many take responsible actions, the majority of influence rests with policymakers and large corporations. Nevertheless, individual choices still matter. Each vote, purchase, and investment can contribute to change. Small communities can spark meaningful momentum, especially through local energy projects and cooperative initiatives. These efforts may not transform the world alone, but they inspire others and demonstrate possibilities beyond a grand, unreachable ideal.
From a scientific standpoint, the author reflects on whether the situation has improved enough to avert collapse. The conclusion weighs multiple scenarios, including a pessimistic view that traces human history toward a wall. Yet the hope remains that history need not repeat itself. The aspiration is to construct a future civilization that earns pride through sustainable, responsible choices rather than repeating old patterns of exploitation.
“Let’s create a 2.0 civilization we can be truly proud of, not the current one.”
For the first time in history, the planet is so interconnected that global decisions can be made with broad participation. There is a sense that solutions exist if political will and social commitment align. The aim is to keep warming below 1.5°C by mobilizing both public and private sectors toward a more equitable, sustainable future. A civilization 2.0 is possible when choices prioritize people and the environment over short-term gains.
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