Reflections from COP28 (Part One)

When I first got invited to COP28, I was innocently (perhaps a little naively) enthused.

I told an ex of mine (who is probably reading this) that I was speaking at the event - he asked me what I knew about Climate Change.

And here’s the thing - I am no Climate Change “expert”.

What I do know, though, is that those that are in positions of power, with the ability to make decisions that could move the needle to halve carbon emissions by 2030, need a radically new perspective.

Actually, it’s not even about having a new perspective - it’s about adopting a new operating system.

As Thomas Berry states in his text, “The Wild and the Sacred”, “the natural world demands a response beyond scientific insight. The natural world demands a response that arises from the wild unconscious depths of the human soul”.

This is what my speech was about- the imperative adoption of a new approach to power and decision making; one that comes from the depths of the human soul and that comes with a sense of urgency to direct change - now.

I was speaking to a close friend who shared that there was an opportunity and a proposal to build the whole pavilion that hosted the event, to be carbon neutral and sustainable, and the proposal was turned down, because the idea was considered a financial gamble.

It is evident to me, that the decisions that are being made for the planet, currently, are still “business decisions”. They’re still considered personal investments. People still need the comfort, safety and guarantee that they won’t lose their financial security, by investing in the planet.

This is precisely what needs to shift.

We need to start to change our consciousness and operating system, from “me” to “the collective”; from “what can I get” to “what can I give”.

From Scarcity to Abundance.

And this requires us to start to reframe what true abundance really means.

Abundance can not be given a monetary value - it is a sensation that arises through connection - connection to the soul (the true self), connection to others, connection to the one core principle of life that unites all of life.

Love.

Love is the truest form of currency.

And right now, we need to be willing to take risks and step outside of our perceived “safe” zone, in order to trust our investment back into the Earth and the greater collective vision of igniting Humanity’s connection back to the Planet.

Money cannot save you, when the Earth is burning.

“The UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced a $30 billion fund for global climate solutions that aims to attract $250 billion of investment by the end of the decade. The parties to COP also pledged $700 million in funding to help lower-income countries cope with the loss and damage caused by climate change.”

If this money can be utilised with precision and intention, to rapidly move on projects which will have the deepest contribution to reversing Climate Change, there is a chance, that Humanity (and the Earth) will experience redemption.

Mother Earth, does not need us. She will happily correct the mistakes we have made, by erupting and burning, to regenerate herself. But, if we do not play our part in our contributing to the shift that is needed to provide the conditions for the planet to regenerate, then we will no longer bear the fruits of her offerings that are necessary for us to be sustained as a species.

References: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/this-is-what-has-been-agreed-at-cop28-so-far