Ground Control to Major Tom: Nature and Humanity: Priceless

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On the heels of the election, I wish you well during these challenging times and hope you enjoy my perspectives about the role of nature and humanity. 

With COVID-19 continuing to race into a global crisis at such scale and speed, companies and organizations have been forced to re-evaluate nature, economic and human value.

With 66% of US employees working remotely due to COVID-19, human attitudes, behaviors, concept of family and community has changed – along with relationships to dogs, children, material possessions and health.  Life in ‘our own backyards’ is intervening, shifting our pace and appreciation of daily life. 

A global virus that keeps us contained in our homes—certainly through next year—is further influencing our relationship to government, the outside world, even to each other.  These changes in the coming months will continue to feel unfamiliar and an unchartered course. 

Disasters and crisis moments also represent transformation and opportunity: more sophisticated and flexible use of technology, less polarization, a revived appreciation for the outdoors and life’s other simple pleasures. 

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference.” Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” “If you're going through hell, keep going.” “Everyone has his day, and some days last longer than others.”  

Winston Churchill. 

The science of behavior change is a subject of study and evolving tool for design over the past ten years. Leading companies have instituted tools and practices to monitor, collect, analyze and act on a range of digital surveys, behavioral patterns, experiential listening and artificial intelligence. These capabilities are becoming the foundation for experience creation – future drivers of influence and growth.  The speed at which companies can —and must—respond to them will become sources of competitive advantage aligned with solving social and environmental challenges. 

Some major implications to consider in our new holistic approach to the life and business entwinement:

Trust and Transparency:  The continual emergence of social and humanitarian justice will influence consumers buying patterns, selection of products/services based on more ethical decisions, alignment with preserving the environment, focus on racial equity and inclusion. 

Health Ecosystem:  Health will dominate, divide and conquer among all of us including our role in society, how we contribute and maintain our community pods for the future including new approaches to mental health, disease and wellness. 

The Role of Storytelling: Amplifying our voices, facing a new audience of multiple ZOOM screen and masked faces, two-minute pitches is fueling connection by a story, image or intuition. Time to re-write a compelling script that underscores being present, empathetic and truthful.  

 [19th century copywriter] John Powers had given us all we’ve ever really needed to know. “Be interesting. Tell the truth. And if you can’t tell the truth, change what you’re doing so you can. In other words, live the truth.”

Winning the Story Wars by Jonah Sach

Virtual Economy: Virtual working is fueling day-to-day activities, disrupting the routines, creativity, how we market and sell our products, distribution and channels of influence. Prioritizing and nurturing authentic relationships will be crucial for success.

Lead and Follow:  Listening and engaging in two-way dialogue are driving the leaders and reinvention of archaic leadership training, education and skills building. No more textbook and old school approaches – just real-world learning. 

Science Wins:  The growth and importance of STEM education has never been so important, essential for preparing tomorrow’s leaders, tackling real world issues and solutions for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Migration Patterns:  For sure, people have fled major cities like New York, Los Angeles to the country and suburbs during the pandemic. However, these decisions are impacted by other factors such as climate, wealth and racial inequality – emerging as the dominant narrative of migration patterns. 

Underserved Communities:  The spotlight is on to tackle poverty in America, the gaps between the rich and poor. A person deserves a home, education, food on the table and healthcare. There is an opportunity to change the rules for the millions of people or are underserved and vulnerable including people of color.

 ‘Wake-up Call’

By 2050 there will be 9.7 billion people on the planet, half of them will be in water-stressed regions, requiring 50 percent more energy. 

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, appreciate and find solutions for the co-dependent connections between nature, humans, wildlife and resilient communities. 

Scientists, conservationists, academia, businesses and civil society must work together on these approaches on a more united front, lifting people out of poverty and improving livelihoods - the critical path for restoring nature and humanity. 

By: Samantha Taylor - Founder of Reputation Dynamics and Elephant Art Shop

Photo: On assignment – Shining Hope School, Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya

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.  

I look forward to connecting with peers who are making the world a better place, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Please contact me at:  

sam@reputation-dynamics.com

***

Nature Calls: Rebalancing the GPS System

To my Friends, Colleagues and Community, 

I wish everyone well during these challenging times, optimism for positive outcomes, for the sake of humanity and our future generations. 

Born in the UK and informative years in Kenya, the USA is the longest place I have resided to pursue my dreams. I am reminded what my Mother endured for several years during World War 11, who was frequently sent to shelters, had gas mantles and masks in their homes, ration books for food, coupons for essential clothing.  There was no telephone and not everyone had a radio.  As there was no National Health Service then, the nations worked together by example for the common good to preserve life, community and world peace.

My family lived through a shut down in Kenya, during the 1982 Kenyan coup d'état, a failed attempt to overthrow President Daniel Arap Moi,confining us to our homes, a rifle lined curfew and access to barely any food for several weeks.  The Expatriate community, foreign aid and civil society worked together to restore the community and daily life.

Let us now follow their stoicism. During these times, families, people and community must rally to ensure survival, development and growth rather than be driven by politics and fear.

Earth’s climate will continue to go through unprecedented changes in the history of modern civilization, such as diseases, as a result of human behaviors. Without adaptation and mitigation strategies, substantial damages to the U.S. economy, environment, human health and well-being will continue to increase over the coming decades.

The world is going through a major RESET on our values, community, sense of purpose and ensuring resilient communities for the long-term.

From the Power of Kabbalah:

“We have been conditioned to focus our awareness on the 1 percent realm of existence, which is akin to chasing our own shadows. Kabbalah says that won’t cut it. It’s an exercise in futility”

This time of social distancing gives us PAUSE to reflect and think:

 What does a human being truly desire from life? 

Top priorities on the list include health, happiness, control – among others that resonate with people. Physical possessions are not the answer in the pursuit of happiness.

As we navigate this complex tipping point together, it is time to convene and refine solid networks, build partnerships for social and environmental impact, maintain a healthy lifestyle, mobilize a community to better the world – with a focus on empowering our youth, protecting our planets natural resources, arts and workforce development.

During this pause, I will continue to convene partnerships, provide development and marketing services to nonprofits, individuals and the private sector utilizing the power of digital/virtual tools – to also include the Woodstock, NY community and organizations.

I remain committed to my mission and for art inspiration for family, loved ones, please visit – Elephant Art Shop.

United we will stand.

By: Samantha Taylor - Founder of Reputation Dynamics 

Self portrait photo taken at The Comeau Property, Woodstock.

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.

I look forward to connecting with peers who are making the world a better place, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Please contact me at:  

sam@reputation-dynamics

Trends for 2015: Joining Forces is Vital for Resilient Communities

In 2014, the UN Climate Summit, the first ever U.S.-Africa Summit, dwindling natural resources, gaps between the rich and poor has propelled awareness of advancing solutions for our complex challenges.

To be sure, the influence of climate change is fueling global economic volatility, posing threats to natural resources and wildlife habitats. What is certain is that progress must be made to ensure a healthy planet for our future generations.

A recap of the top realities we face includes:

• Harsh climate: This burden cost $2.1 billion between 2000-2013 due to weather-related disasters.
• Destruction of forests: Half of the earth's forest cover is gone with only 40 billion hectares remaining today. Every year, an average of 13 million hectares of forest disappear, often with devastating impacts on communities and indigenous peoples. The conversion of forests for the production of commodities such as soy, palm oil, beef and paper-accounts for roughly half of global deforestation. 
• Threatened wildlife species: The London Zoological Society has reported that world wildlife populations have been cut in half from 1970 to 2010:
  •  In the 1970s, Africa was home to more than 1.3 million elephants. Today, as few as 419,000 may remain and 35,000 elephants are killed by poachers each year to feed the ivory black market.
  • The South African government recently reported a record 1,020 rhinos have been poached in the country since the beginning of 2014, surpassing the 1,004 rhinos killed in all of 2013.
• Chronic diseases: Deaths from chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, have risen by more than 50 percent according to the Council on Foreign Relations and are rising fast in low and middle-income countries, striking far younger populations than in rich countries.
• Lack of education in Africa: Today, there are 30 million children who are not receiving education and according to the 2014 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, the shortage of quality teachers is the key problem.  Children are not receiving quality education and skills training for potential jobs.

Major initiatives in 2014:

First Ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in D.C: The White House convened African heads of state and government, U.S./African corporations, civil society to strengthen alignment between the United States and opportunities for trade and economic investment in the continent. Africa is finally being recognized as the next major emerging market, access to new consumers and resources with a combined GDP upwards of $2 trillion.

UN Climate Summit: President Obama unveiled a series of actions to urge the international community to cut emissions and help developing countries better prepare for climate change.  While the EPA proposed a new plan designed to cut carbon emissions by 30% by the year 2030:

•  New York Declaration on Forests: More than 150 governments, companies and NGO world leaders endorsed a global timeline to cut natural forest loss in half by 2020, and strive to end it by 2030. 
• The U.S. and China signed the first major deal on climate change to cut emissions.

Predictions for 2015: Value of nature:

While nature is deemed priceless, various studies have tried to estimate the value of ecosystem services (provision of timber, minerals, food and medicines) in financial terms.  The total value of ‘nature’ is estimated to be about $33 trillion per year of which the global economy is consuming about $7 trillion dollars annually.

This is raising the bar on developing more inclusive partnerships between the public and private sectors to ensure the provision of basic needs (such as food and water) and solutions to ensure more resilient economies.

Environmental awareness and education: With consumers and millennials more informed about the increasing role of crowd funding, digital and mobile network applications, for and nonprofit companies must improve how they share, advocate and demonstrate their commitments. Also, enlist participation from the public at large with authenticity and transparency.

Forest and wildlife protection: Continued action to conserve, sustainably manage and restore forests can contribute to economic growth, alleviating poverty, creating food security, protecting wildlife species and habitats.

Investment in Africa: Africa’s economic growth and prosperity will be driven by primarily investing in youth education and creating jobs. 

Market access: More correlation and alignment between trade, new and existing markets is the focus of economic growth.  The co-creation of programs at the community-level with businesses, government and nonprofits is essential for long term sustainability, protection of resources and livelihoods.

Conclusions: In a disruptive global economy, companies and individuals have significant opportunities to promote economic growth, develop new products and access new customers, while saving trees and protecting wildlife species. However, what is fundamental to this success is to convene more alliances, break down silos, enforce greater knowledge exchange and a more united front to address the complex challenges associated with climate change.

By: Samantha Taylor - Founder of Reputation Dynamics.