Do you still need more proof? Climate change must become a personal reality, for each and every one of us on this planet. Scientists reported that the Arctic ice cap is melting faster and by their calculations, 40 % percent of the summer ice covering the Arctic sea will be gone by 2050. This is the time to convert all political calls to action, a time for all countries to have the moral imperative to discuss climate change with a new urgency.
Do you not know “value”? Creating value for society is one of the key deciders of success. Today’s leaders must also deliver value in terms of sustainability and societal impact as well as growth. Sustainability and equitability must be placed at the heart of every organization. Climate change is not something that lies outside of business or governance. It operates within the boundaries of its natural environment and can only be sustained in a healthy environment and flourishing society. The earth is more fragile now and the ecosystems that support millions of lives now face significant disruption. Peoples—not only animals—are at risk of being extinct. The effects are being felt by everyone, especially those least able to cope and least responsible for the problem. This is, as always a moral issue. Any response must be guided by the principles of the common good and shared responsibility.
Climate change events including sea-level rise, the increased frequency of extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and heavy rainfall all pose threats to countries like the Philippines. This is due to our vulnerability to natural dangers. Warmer waters damage coral reefs, which can lead to a drop in fish populations, making it a concern related to food security. Rains will result in more flooding, which could lead to landslides in upland areas. The concept of Climate change is very complex but very urgent and will take good and competent leaders to reach out to others to bring each other’s expertise, technologies, and other capabilities together in order to achieve meaningful change. This is only possible when actions are driven by a purpose. Leadership foremost is about choices and setting new directions. It is about vision and political will—the ability to see ahead, know what we must do, and inspire a force for genuine change. The generation now and those to come will judge us.
What can we possibly do besides hope for ethical leadership and good governance? Well, perhaps it is to educate ourselves on how best to face the climate change challenges. While it does seem at times that we can do only little as individuals if we arm ourselves with knowledge of the science behind it, and its effects, we can start taking steps (no matter how little) toward positive change. Much better is to influence others to do the same. But besides asking for urgent action, we can also reflect on our own personal moves. What have we done so far? What are our lessons for? Why are we here?
