COP26...not another article
COP26
I’m sure you, like me, have seen 27384926478 posts, blogs, stories, adverts, and news articles in the run up to COP26 that’s starting imminently. And you're probably already thinking you've had enough before its even started.
This will be without a doubt, one of the most important conferences of our time, with leaders from all over the world joining together to talk about all things climate and environment related. The sole purpose? I’m not one to beat around the bush – to try and save our planet … and ourselves.
It really is make or break; and I can assure you, that statement is no exaggeration.
From global pandemics to catastrophic fires, flooding in summer, and using plastic sheets on glaciers to try and stop them melting – when are we all going to wake up and smell the (dying) roses. Every single one of us, including you reading this, has their part to play in trying to do the best we can to save our future; and the future of generations to come. And I can tell you now, I’m scared.
I’m scared for me, I’m scared for you, I’m scared for the people who still don’t realise there is an issue. I’m scared for the people who are powerless to do anything about it. But most of all, more than anything, (and I know its Halloween) … I’m scared of the giant corporations, and the billionaire CEO’s making the biggest impacts on this planet, who either won’t change their ways, or will take so long to implicate them it will be too late.?
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t live a perfect carbon free life. But I do my best within my means, like so many of you out there. I like to recycle, I take my refillable water bottle everywhere, I don’t use my car often... etcetera etcetera.??You’d think it was easy for everyone to do those three simple things, the minimal effort. Oh, how wrong you are.
Is it naivety? Is it laziness? Is it hopelessness that it’s too late? Or maybe all three? It’s hard to not feel defeated, deflated, and after the turbulent times of late (I refuse to mention the C word...) completely fed up.
Personally, it’s hard for me to not feel all three at times. It’s often overwhelming and it can be difficult to accept that you can’t change the world. And that's a hash reality to live with. I have no shame in admitting that I've cried about the seas, I've wept about the animals, and I've sobbed for the unknown times ahead.
But then I realised I was sick of crying over things I felt I couldn't change. And that's one of the main reasons why I chose to apply for the Sustainability Executive role at The Sustainability Group. Yes a little tear here and there is good; healthy in fact (and it still happens now and again), but action is what makes the difference. And I wanted to make a difference, to be the difference, no matter how big or small. Sharing my passion, I’m able to educate and inspire other organisations to be a responsible business. To help them do the best they possibly can within their means but to also ensure they are able to visualise their potential and ambition for doing better. Working together to make that ever so important impact and drive the positive change that is required to try and reach those Net Zero targets.?
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My hope for COP26 is to bring every single one of us a renewed sense of community, to remind us of how great Mother Earth is, and how she serves us so well. But for us to also realise that she is not our servant. She is our host, and she will survive, and thrive, when we are long gone; like she has so many times before.
So, for those of you who may not know anything/ very little about COP26, and what it means for us, I ask you to watch/ read/ listen to those 27384926478 posts, blogs, stories, adverts and news articles.?
For business's who don’t know where to start, our FuturePlus product has been designed for this very scenario, aiming to democratise sustainability and make it available for all. All you need to do is click below to find out more.
And finally, if you’re truly lost, here are a few links that for me were insightful, inspiring, educational and well worth investing your time in.
This is our last chance to prevent global catastrophe. Change needs to start now. Let's bring on the action!
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3 年Great article. Completely agree, there is a lot to be hopeful for. Individuals, businesses and governments have a role to play. People often miss the difference they can make as individuals, as get lost in the tragic statistics, which do make frightening reason. The role of Sustainability professionals has to be in engaging and showing people "the way". Congratulations on your new role!