Humanity is the foundation for a safe, just planet
Global Commons Alliance
The Global Commons Alliance empowers citizens, cities, companies and countries to become stewards of our global commons.
Dear Planetary Steward, Dear friend of the Global Commons Alliance,
The impact of the last two weeks is heavy in our hearts. We have all hugged loved ones tighter as we mourn the devastating loss of civilian lives in Israel and Palestine, and grapple with worries of what more is to come. As we hold space for that fear and grief, and navigate the barrage of violence, news and misinformation, we cannot afford to slow down efforts to safeguard the global commons.?
Ongoing degradation of land, water resources and nature?may not be a direct cause of conflict, but it does amplify the risks of human insecurity caused by underlying poor governance and socioeconomic conditions. And the reverse is also true: by safeguarding and restoring the Earth’s natural systems, we can increase the resilience and well-being of the most vulnerable communities - and reduce the risks of social conflict.?
Everyone on Earth has the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Achieving that environment requires close collaboration between governments, businesses, civil society and stakeholders at all levels. It requires working in multi-stakeholder coalitions to bring about?systems change. It also requires finance.?
At the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Marrakesh last weekend, Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz called for low income countries to be given US$300 billion a year to fight the climate crisis. But developed nations, distracted by escalating geopolitical tensions and inflation, are already struggling to mobilize the US$100 billion of public and private climate finance that was meant to have begun in 2020.
Collaboration is more essential than ever. New research recently published in Nature Communications revealed what extreme weather - specifically attributed to climate change - has been costing us: an average of around US$16 million an hour for the past 20 years!?This staggering economic cost analysis comes as we inch even closer to tipping points in the Earth system that could make things worse. A?new study shows that more than 40% of Antarctica’s ice shelves have shrunk since 1997.?
Humanity is on a collision course with the carefully balanced natural systems that have kept our planet livable for millennia. But this should not signal “game over!”.?More like “game on!”.?I am?privileged?to work with so many different partners and individuals in?the Global Commons Alliance, who, alongside many millions of others in the world, are dedicated to change course for the better. In many ways, the global community has never been so capable to connect and drive change.?The energy and efforts of individuals, grassroots networks,?cities and companies are inspiring, and sustain hope that we can move rapidly toward?a regenerative future where humans and nature thrive in harmony.??
There’s a role for everyone to play in stewarding the global commons, at any scale and no matter the obstacles we face. We look forward to connecting and to learning more about what’s happening on the ground, as well as?to forging new partnerships across different themes and sectors at COP28 in a few weeks.?The Global Commons Alliance will be sharing knowledge on pathways and positive tipping points for a safe and just world, as well as tools that can guide?companies and financial institutions to play their part too.?
With all my best wishes, Jane