That Sinking Feeling

Maldives is in the news again and so is its leader who features in the documentary “The Island President”. While parts of Asia continue to experience floods, loss of property and life, we cannot avoid asking the question, as Indian environmentalist Sunita Narain does: when will the world change its ways so that this devastation does not reach catastrophic levels? Or have we passed the point of no return? Indonesia is experiencing droughts, but also seems unable to halt the destruction of man and machine. Rainforests are destroyed as farmers embark on the burning season – again and again. Spreading despair and smoke and little hope. WWF is doing its best to paint a more hopeful picture with its “Love Your Forests” campaign, but the European and US economic state of affairs is not good for the carbon price (in New Zealand) or investment in clean energy and green jobs (in the US). There must be a silver lining and we’re seeing good signs as businesses become sustainability champions. Size of business doesn’t count in the CSR stakes and feed in tariffs make a difference. Singapore is putting money into greening buildings old and new, investing in solar roofs, and designing a climate change strategy. Australia is facing the electric vehicle challenge and adopting carbon neutral products, as its carbon price legislation starts it tortuous journey into law. A call for the private sector to be more involved globally in change management and another warning about the powerful “fossil fuel” influence in high places. Thomas Friedman puts it in perspective. It’s a weird world! – Ken Hickson