One

Frequently when I share a story about some corporation engaging in initiatives that impact the environment or the community I hear the reply: Well, but haven't you heard what they did with....? That is NOT environmental friendly at all! (or not socially friendly, or not ethical, or...). This reply falls like a bucket of water to extinguish the fire of the passion with which I talk about these initiatives. In addition, it leaves me with the feeling that I am a naive, uninformed person, out of touch with the 'real' world and that I have a way to go to really grasp what corporations, business or the world is about today. After many of those buckets, and with my fire lighting back again and again, I finally gave some thoughts to this. And I realized that the reply probably speaks of the huge wish people have that it would be true, that things could improve, that ethics could be growing - and as big as the hope-is the fear of disappointment. Therefore, rather stick to the cynism and hopelessness. But then, I also know that they are talking about real data. I know those data, or many of them. I am aware of the things that are not going well in some of those corporations, after all I read and listen to the news. Is that reason enough to discard the valuable initiatives? Sustainability issues are complex challenges. It is not about just fixing one corner, one aspect. They are interconnected problems, with multiple angles. If we expect one corporation to get it all right, in every sense and every day, we are up for a long wait. I think that in the meantime, we need to hear more about what is working, how some are daring and doing things, one person here one person there. We need to get inspired by those 'ones'. It is of no use to dismiss them, because those little stories are the ones that are making a difference.

Too little too late?

I am amazed at the increasing space the environmental topics are getting in all the media. I am thrilled, excited, and happy for the media finally helping educate the population, also creating pressure on decision makers. But also I’m puzzled with the target of 50% reduction on emissions by 2050. The debate is who signs up, who commits to it, who doesn't. 50% by 2050!? With the climate repercussions I’m reading in the news, with the invasion of new insects, spreads of diseases, droughts, flooding, artic melt, nature life extinction just to name a few, does anyone seriously believe we can leisurely wait until 2050 to have 50% less emissions? As I talked to a colleague who I won't name but who is a world renown expert in climate change, I asked him this naive question. He smiled and said ' you're right..., but even to this goal it is difficult to commit... That still doesn't make it the right goal - i contested, and he looked at me and said It's almost unethical, isn't it? to fight for a goal that is not what is actually seriously needed.. I wonder if we just will need to be hit by more dramatic climate disasters, in order to review this goal. Hey, what were we talking about, 2050!? We may be in BIG problems by then. We cannot wait that long. But I also realize the challenge, the power of denial, the resistance to quit the comfort of our current way of living. And I say this thinking of myself. Why is it that I am not thinking of moving out of Florida, why is it that I’m not selling the car and buying a hybrid, why is it that I'm using air-conditioning all night? As I went yesterday into a shop to buy a decorative pillow for my new sofa, I had this image, that I was rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic...

Interconnectedness + The Cyclical Process of Life

Continuing with the systemic thinking, inspired in Fritjof Capra's book The Web of Life (1996), I was reflecting on the violent scenes in Germany, where people were protesting against the coming meeting of G8. Used as we are to react as opposed to analyze, the protesters are reacting and the police is reacting. This seems the natural thing to do, as the action seems to generate more impact and effect than reflection. Now if we try to test the two systemic thinking principles - our interconnectedness (we are all connected, what happens to one has an impact on the others) and the cyclical process of life (sooner or later, closer or more distant - when there is too much of one thing it creates a tipping point where it jumps back to the opposite) - what new meaning can we make out of the violent scenes in Germany? I'm not saying we should suspend all our actions and stay in reflection for the rest of our lives.... but to reflect how we each are contributing to what happens may be more effective than treating the visible symptom with a reaction...