EP13: Why Corporate Sustainability Lights An Angry Fire In Me
Every now and then you come into contact with someone who brings out the most courageous and empowered version of yourself. That's how I felt speaking with Johan Jensen, the host of the Spiritual Emergency podcast.
Johan asked me about two things which I sometimes hesitate to talk about because of their potential to upset and disrupt people: my changing feelings about climate tech and my thoughts on corporate sustainability. To quote myself on the podcast, this subject “lights an angry fire in me…”
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The Allure of Climate Tech
I worked in climate tech for over a decade. I was so inspired and filled with hope when I came across fuel cells and biomaterials and super capacitors – things that I had never heard of and didn't know existed. I was struck by the ingenuity of it all and the idea that these technologies could save us from the destructive impact we are having.
I think this is why climate tech is filled with good people who are passionate about it and commit their lives to this cause. And I still believe that we will always need technology.
But the deeper I got into it, the more I began to see systemic problems that weren’t being addressed.
The Sustainability Sticking Plaster
The problem is that climate tech is part of the capitalistic system. Initial funding comes from big corporations and the value goes back into those corporations. The very same organisations that have been largely responsible for getting us into the mess that we're in. Whose ultimate purpose is to generate profit for shareholders, and whose business models are mostly extractive.
Sadly, innovative climate tech is also being used to fund investor returns and support the lifestyles of privileged white western nations, rather than helping the people suffering the worst effects of climate change.
It feels counter intuitive to think that we can create the seismic changes we need using the same models that business has always been done.
What is purpose of the organisation you work for?
I see so many people with really good intentions, with deep passion, with awe-inspiring commitment coming into the sustainability space and being swallowed up by this corporate machine.
I was speaking with someone who does sustainability reporting and certification and they’ve come to the realisation that there is money to employ them, there is money to pay for the certifications, but there was no money to make any actual changes. This is so often people's experience within sustainability work. And it lights an angry fire in me.
Ask yourself: Is the organisation that you work for aligned with actively protecting and restoring life or is it maybe the opposite?
Start with being honest with yourself. It’s really important to have that awareness of where you are and then you can start building your plan from there.
Change Happens From Within
If change doesn’t come from big corporates, where does it come from? It’s this question that led me to explore concepts around regeneration and to the realisation that change has to come from within us – within our consciousness. Otherwise, we're just perpetuating the same system.
This means shifting our worldview to:
Connect with the tangibility of biodiversity – when we talk about emissions and invisible gases we aren’t connecting with the problem on an emotional level. But we if sit in nature, we connect to it, we can literally see and smell it. That’s why people are moved to protect their favourite trees from being destroyed. They can feel that pain, it’s very real and we’re motivated to act.
See ourselves as nature – by remembering that we cannot not exist without nature, we cannot breathe without nature, that we are nature.
Acknowledge fear – without putting it in the driving seat, listening to the wisdom of our bodies and the role of faith in regenerative work.
Trust that we will find the solutions – that each of us will find that sense of purpose and by bringing these purposes together we can create transformation.
The Most Courageous You
Johan encouraged me to speak on topics that I don't often touch on, that are difficult and sometimes painful but that are deeply relevant to regenerative career transitions.
Do you have someone like that in your work life? Someone who brings out the most courageous and empowered version of yourself as you navigate the challenging transition to a regenerative career?
If not, perhaps I can be that person for you. On the podcast, but also by working one-to-one with you to focus on your specific challenges and stumbling blocks. Just click on the link below and we can explore these options together.
I also invite you to head over to the Spiritual Emergency podcast where you can listen to my conversation with Johan in full.
