The Mara Partners’ Post

"Stubborn optimist" is my way of cooping with the increasing climate change and with decision makers not doing their job to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels. Christiana point at one thing that for many years has been my approach when working with scenario analysis to guide the energy transiton. We have the opportunity to shape the future. The future is not just something that happen, we can do something. It is not easy, but we have the opportunity to act and reduce the climate impact. This also makes the word 'uncertainty' tricky when approaching the future, we need to differ between what we can impact and what is given (and can come with uncertainties). Some takeaways from Christiana Figueres' article (not in her order): 💻 🔬 We also have the responsibility – and the opportunity – to shape the future differently. We must take stock of the science, triple down on our efforts and deploy the perspective of possibility. ⏰ 🥁 A sense of despair is understandable, but it robs us of our agency, makes us vulnerable to mis- and disinformation, and prevents the radical collaboration we need. Doubt holds us back from taking bold action, which is why it is strategically seized upon by incumbents, who have invested millions of dollars (probably much more) in sowing uncertainty around the climate crisis and its solutions among the general public. 🌞 🌬For example, what has been achieved in transforming the energy system to this point, pushing against a fossil fuel industry deliberately intent on delaying progress, and within a lacklustre policy environment, is extraordinary.

As we face daunting predictions about our climate, the wonderful Christiana Figueres reminds us that despair does not have to be our destiny. Despite the challenges, there's significant progress and countless opportunities for action. Is it enough? Of course not, but we can choose optimism and collaboration to drive transformative change. #ClimateAction #GlobalOptimism #Sustainability #ActNow

Christiana Figueres « While we grapple with the current lack of #PoliticalWill, and the abhorrent #inequities of the #ClimateCrisis, we can take some comfort that so many of those who are key to designing #OurFuture have heard #ClimateScientists’ urgent warnings and are channelling their spirit by taking #PositiveAction in response: think of the #engineers reforming our #grids, the #architects, the #SocialEntrepreneurs, the #RegenerativeFarmers restoring our #soil, the #LegalAdvocates, and the #MillionsOfPeople everywhere who are advancing #NewSystems of #Care, #Repair and #Regeneration. #StateOfClimate #Governments #Business #Education #GlobalChallenges #GlobalGoals #Leadership #Leaders #ClimateAction United Nations #WMO #UNEP

We exist to help people realise their power to take action on climate change. It may seem dark but we know there is immense hope. Let us help you to take action to secure a livable future for all. We highly recommend listening to the Outrage + Optimism podcast which helps us to embody the concept of stubborn optimism. 👊🏽💚 #climatehope #stubbornoptimism #climatechange

This is worth a read, whether you're already active or still hoping to find a way to make a difference in battling our socioecological crisis. "A sense of despair is understandable, but it robs us of our agency, makes us vulnerable to mis- and disinformation, and prevents the radical collaboration we need. Doubt holds us back from taking bold action, which is why it is strategically seized upon by incumbents, who have invested millions of dollars (probably much more) in sowing uncertainty around the climate crisis and its solutions among the general public." Christiana Figueres puts it brilliantly. This is just what I needed. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand why some people choose to actively drive the collapse of our planets functions (even though I'm quite well versed in the complex behavioural patterns of my fellow species thanks to being to a social psychologist). This in turn adds to an increasing feeling of despair. We seem to be fighting the sort of malevolence, backed up by seemingly endless amounts of money, that feels impossible to conquer. Even if I haven't felt desperate to the point of giving up the fight, this article gives much needed inspiration to keep looking for the tools, skills and competencies, platforms and arenas - and most importantly, other people - I need and can use to strengthen my agency. #sustainability #ClimateCrisis #agency #StubbornOptimism

The behavior of change, espically related to climate and sustainability, is complex. But. One thing that is pretty clear is that hope helps. Hope helps you get out of bed and take on the challenges of the day. This article shares that activity begets hope which begets more activity, and so one. So even if straws are a negligible percent of plastic waste, you can make the decision to pass on the plastic straw (and plastic water bottle, plastic cutlery, etc) and give yourself the gift of action, and the gift of hope.

Climate change described as a dangerous highway instead of a doomsday cliff is a much more effective metaphor. There are a series of exits and we need to get off the earliest one possible. The doomsdayers give a sense that it’s all too late so why bother anyway. This makes for a convenient rationalisation. There’s definitely a reason to bother. Do the best you can do we can reduce the impacts as much as possible. #climatechange #socialmarketing #moraldisengagement

A visual representation of the climate tipping points we are up against, or on too many cases, already seeing unfold. The danger is real and its is happening now. https://lnkd.in/ey24sRVU #climatechange #naturalworld #climateandmeteorology #scienceandenvironment

We have to build a different narrative. Keep telling everyone they are dammed fools is not going to get anywhere. There is this thinking that we must have an enemy to havea cause. We need to come across more positively. It doesn't matter what we thought back in the 1980s. It's how we see things today. Be that better person for a better tomorrow. Be better for better. #climatechange The Guardian #bettertogether #risk #esg

We continue efforts to spread awareness of the climate change-related challenges we all face. Here's our latest blog post on the subject: http://bit.ly/3XMtZgr #climatechange