At the start of the ‘Cold War’ Einstein said,
"Our situation is not comparable to anything in the past. It is impossible, therefore, to apply methods and measures which at an earlier age might have been sufficient. We must revolutionise our thinking, revolutionise our actions, and must have the courage to revolutionise relations among nations of the world. Clichés of yesterday will no longer do today, and will, no doubt, be hopelessly out of date tomorrow."[1]
The statement was made in 1948, but interestingly the quote is also very relevant when applied to our current 'Global Warming’ era, as well as our ‘innovation era’. Just change 'nations of the world' to: ‘people, nations and corporations of the world’, and reading it again.
We need to think ‘inter-generational’ and we need to think ‘supra-national’ (globalisation!). Both may not be easy feats in our current social and economic systems but the potential of radical innovations gives us hope.
Insanity is… doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
I think we do need to keep trying over and over again to avert the environmental disaster we’re facing; but not by doing the same thing over and over again. We need to make a change, to make a difference. Why? Because it’s our chance to create a future that is better, and not a lot worse than today’s situation. Business as usual seems to be leading us to the latter.
Outside the box
Our task is not to come up with ‘just’ a better product. It’s much bigger than that, and it’s much broader than that. Our task is a broader kind of innovation. Our task is to consider every potential solution in business and society.
Backing from the Climate Leaders Coalition
The signatories of the Climate Leaders Coalition are prepared to support and adopt innovations and ideas that may even disrupt 'business as usual' to progress Climate-X's vision. That's quite brave and admirable.
The Climate Leaders Coalition needs you and they are willing to support you.
Are you up to it?
If you’re passionate, talented and prepared to step up then you have precisely the kind of focused energy that Climate-X needs.
The stakes are high; so do you want to give this your best? If your answer is yes, then what are you waiting for? Climate-X is the place for you to contribute, sign up and make it happen.
PS: To the CLC signatories: Prepare to back some honest, innovative disruption!
PPS: To the participants: Work on the solutions that will give you (us!) a better future – a future that’s better than what business as usual is currently giving us.
By Stefan Fortuin
[1] Einstein (1948) "A Message to Intellectuals" Source: 'Albert Einstein' Green J. (Ed.), 2003 (p. 52) Via: http://icarus-falling.blogspot.com/2009/06/einstein-enigma.html
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