A Social Entrepreneur’s Experience at the TIME 100 Summit

I was honored to attend the TIME 100 Gala and TIME CO2 ’s inaugural Earth Awards. Huge congratulations to Marc and Lynne Benioff for making significant strides towards sustainable business practices and shining a spotlight on climate solutionists across sectors.?

In honor of this monumental event and the awardees, I wanted to share key takeaways and highlight five incredible attendees and speakers who inspired me from this opportunity.?

1. Acknowledge the role that race plays in climate injustice.

Inspired By: Gloria Walton and #MarkRuffalo

The Solutions Project President and CEO (Walton) joined its Co-Founder (Ruffalo) in emphasizing the intersectionality of climate and racial justice when it comes to the climate crisis.?

Their organization is similar to Sustainable Ocean Alliance in its mission (funding solutions for the planet) and mindset (bottom-up support). Their unique approach to tackling climate inequality involves focusing on frontline communities at a greater disadvantage due to the convergence of racism, poverty, and pollution.

The pair underlined that those who’ve contributed the least and suffered the most require extensive, philanthropic sector investment in their solutions to aid the just transition. I appreciate Gloria and Mark for championing solutions, serving as role models in the social sector, and driving forward the conversation on intersectional climate justice.

Key Takeaway: You can’t have the climate crisis conversation without acknowledging race.?

2. Stay true to your passion and purpose.

Inspired By: #KimKardashian

A verified entrepreneur with businesses valued in the billions, Kim shared that her 40s are about prioritizing her own happiness.

For the past half-decade, she has been overjoyed to use her platform, privilege, and access to advocate for people facing the death penalty or imprisoned without a fair trial.

Initially, many dismissed her advocacy. Today, she is well on her way to becoming a lawyer, has helped secure countless sentence commutations, and has managed to push forward criminal justice reform — all while juggling her ongoing reality TV obligations, profitable businesses, and motherhood. Watch Kardashian’s discussion with CNN ’s Poppy Harlow .

Key Takeaway: Stay true to yourself and pursue your calling, despite others’ misconceptions or limiting beliefs.

3. Realize climate change is life and death.

Inspired By: Vanessa Nakate

An inspiring, 26-year-old Ugandan climate activist & Founder of the Rise Up Movement, Nakate dedicated her Earth Award to everyone suffering from the climate disaster and its consequences.?

She called to the audience’s attention that living sustainably isn’t a casual lifestyle choice and shone a light on the sobering reality of the lived experience on her continent.?

She pointed out that while Africa accounts for the smallest share of global greenhouse gas emissions (3.8%), its residents are experiencing the brunt of the climate crisis. Watch her acceptance speech here.

Key Takeaway: Every decision you make to live more consciously is more than a small gesture, you are contributing to a movement that will save lives. Take it seriously!

4. Amplify climate successes.

Inspired By: Simon Mulcahy

As President of Sustainability TIME and CEO of TIME CO2 , Mulcahy is the driving force behind this new division of TIME, focused on providing businesses with the trusted content, solutions, applications, and community that accelerate investment in climate solutions, and progress towards net zero.?

The new Earth Awards are an effort to shine a spotlight on individuals influencing the future of the planet through their work on climate justice, awareness, and activism. They are the antidote to doom and gloom headlines that disempower and desensitize. TIME is actively changing the narrative to one of celebration.

Key Takeaway: Focus on progress and solutions across sectors to re-energize those doing the work and engage potential planetary advocates!

5. Win the climate crisis with numbers.

Inspired By: Tom Steyer and Lisa P. Jackson?

Billionaire investor and philanthropist Steyer was joined by Earth Award honoree Lisa P. Jackson — former Administrator at US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and now Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives at 苹果 — as representatives of the private sector.?

Jackson is on a mission to achieve net neutrality for the world’s most valuable company by 2030. She quipped that her CFO doesn’t run when he sees her, because the climate-positive changes she has made to date have proven to be profitable. Steyer echoed this sentiment, reinforcing that the only way to convince large corporations and banks to transition to a climate-forward future is to argue using data and case studies that bolster their bottom line, not to approach with sentimentality.

Key Takeaway: The market can be the driving force for change in the sustainability space.