Paris, from a distance…..

Though I’ve spent most of my professional career in various leadership, technical or managerial roles, developing and driving solutions to address environmental, sustainability and natural resource issues, I am not traveling to Paris this week for the UN Climate Change Conference.  However, I’ll be no different from a multitude of others who will be watching the proceedings with both hope and concerns about the future.  Yet for me, having a very personal connection to France and Paris through an old friend who did a post-doc in research with me many years ago in Boston, and whose family is part of mine, I have immeasurable respect and admiration for the French people.  They have chosen to continue to host this crucial event on climate change, despite the horrific attacks to their city a short time ago.  This is the first and foremost lesson and test a civilization must pass: never to give in to tyranny, nor to be intimidated by ignorance and brutality.  The broader implications of choosing to focus on the fundamental implications of climate change, bespeaks a level of maturity in the realization that geopolitical and economic stability cannot be achieved without effectively dealing with climate impacts. 

Nevertheless, long term success of these meetings, will not be based on the agreements, speeches or plans made in Paris, but rather on how well these are ‘sustained’ afterwards.  From the myriad of challenges we face, from natural resource management to maintaining healthy ecosystems, from addressing environmental impacts to population growth, health care and education, the issues appear daunting.  Yet technology is not the ultimate hurdle in dealing with these many problems.   Rather, our true challenges have much more to do with human nature in our ability to work together collaboratively for the common good, in going the extra mile to work across disciplines and organizations, boundaries and borders, and in taking a long term, strategic view of our efforts.  While technological advancements are critical to our long term success, they are still only a means to the end, often with unintended consequences that go along with the obvious benefits. 

I’ll be watching events unfold in Paris from an ocean and continent away, with the advantage of a removed perspective on what transpires.  However, I’ll spend at least as much time observing and talking with those also not present, to gauge their reactions to what transpires, and what specific next steps and new initiatives will be identified and established after the meetings are over. 

While there is clear cause for skepticism for tangible progress based on past track records among global leaders, we all have the free will and the imperative to make a positive choice for actively changing our own human climate of interaction in establishing a higher community IQ, so we can get about the business of addressing the climate of planet.

Ironically, as I think of past personal visits to France, my most vivid memories are of the civilized humanity of the French people, having an appreciation for each other that emphasize the intangible values of living.  I’m also struck by the many examples of past civilizations in their midst, which serve as an effective reminder of the values of preservation.    Sitting in an amphitheater built over two millennia ago which is still in use today, is a stark contrast to the flagrant waste of resources we encounter in our daily lives.  It is therefore quite fitting that this event is hosted by France.  One can only hope that the rest of the world will take the time to internalize the many lessons being offered this week.