In our third year of the global pandemic, unprecedented changes continue to prevail in our daily lives, business and role in community.
As we navigate our way through the impacts of COVID, demands for racial justice and equality, economic empowerment, political instability, and a warming climate — we face the realities of our planet with humility and optimism.
Top line realities include:
Climate Crisis: Increasing emissions of greenhouse gases are causing temperatures to rise and catastrophic events all over the world – the US is experiencing devasting bushfire seasons, The Death Valley National Park recorded the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth, 13% of deaths in the EU being linked to various forms of pollution, populations of wildlife have experienced an average decline of 68% since 1970 and record-breaking wildfires in California have blocked out the sun – and these are just a few examples reported by earth.org.
Biodiversity: A recent WWF report found that the population sizes of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians have experienced a decline of an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016. The report attributes this biodiversity loss to a variety of factors to include land-use change, particularly the conversion of habitats, like forests, grasslands and mangroves, into agricultural systems. Animals such as elephants, sharks and seahorses are significantly affected by the illegal wildlife trade.
Deforestation: Every minute, forests the size of 20 football fields are cut down. By the year 2030, the planet might have only 10% of its forests; if deforestation isn’t stopped, they could all be gone in less than 100 years. Health of the planet is the new imperative for improving livelihoods and driver of long-term approaches for sustainability.
On the heels of the net-zero goals set at the 2021 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), more than 80 countries – representing nearly 75% of global emissions – announced commitments to achieve net-zero emissions – a necessary step to cut global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 to keep the world’s temperature from rising above 1.5 degrees C.
Sustainability, as the new normal for integrated lifestyle and business activities, will drive emerging trends in 2022:
ESG’s: 2021 was a record year for ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investments, with an estimated $120 billion poured into sustainable investments, more than double the $51billion of 2020, and expected to reach $1 billion by 2030. Seasoned and new investors are embracing funds with a focus on environmental and social issues, such as nature, biodiversity and skills development. However, careful due diligence is required into ethical and ESG-themed funds as the sector is rife with greenwashing. The 2015 Paris climate accord will be the legal standard for promoting and messaging ESG funds.
Carbon Offsetting: Carbon offsetting is about the replacement or reduction of carbon emissions. High-emission companies fund projects that either prevent the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) or remove them. These projects range from planting trees to deploying technology to capture carbon emissions. With carbon market rules, low-carbon emitters will increasingly tap the carbon offset market.
African Youth: By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world’s youth and account for 75 percent of those under age 35 in Africa. With such a large population of young people, supportive policies and programs on inclusive youth development are critical now more than ever.
Protecting Museums: More than 35,000 museums in the U.S. are in a race to save America’s treasures from climate change with increasing flooding and more frequent wildfires. For example, water from rain seeped into Smithsonian spaces after a major storm in 2006 and again last spring, when the American History Museum’s cafeteria flooded with over a foot of water. With the growth of climate initiative funding, investments are needed for clean energy, energy efficiency and to address climate resilience.
Role of Partnerships: Throughout this pandemic we have seen the benefits of public-private partnerships. They have been instrumental in the provision of masks, testing, humanitarian relief and vaccine distribution. We need full vaccine access and distribution to address the equity disparities between the Global North and the Global South.
Conclusion: With the growing threats of climate change, disruptive weather patterns, water shortages, nature will dictate our ultimate destiny. This requires a dramatic shift in how we evaluate, anticipate and find solutions for the co-dependent connections between nature, humans, wildlife for resilient communities.
Successful outcomes for restoring nature and humanity will be dependent on the enduring strength of our global community, growth of inclusive partnerships and collective action between the private and public sectors.
By: Samantha Taylor - Founder of Reputation Dynamics and Elephant Art Shop
Photo by Samantha Taylor: New Forest Preserve, Hampshire, England
Since 2005, Reputation Dynamics (RD) has committed to addressing social, environmental and human justice issues. RD mobilizes corporations, NGOs/civil society and academia to devise share-valued approaches and develop inclusive partnerships.
Please contact me at:
sam@reputation-dynamics.com