In general, I find that content generated at Davos should be taken with a handful of skepticism – there is a lot of virtue signaling going on, along with the need to be seen in the right place at the right time. The article in the url below, suggesting that the leaders of the world are now suddenly serious about climate change, appears to be more of the same:
"Instead of just responding to the business effects of climate change, leaders at this year's World Economic Forum are discussing creating a proactive positive impact."
Apparently, the key to this sudden realization of the need to act is regeneration, "rethinking and reinventing everything from business models to supply chains, as opposed to tweaking around the edges to mitigate, instead of prevent, risk." The idea that "regeneration" is just now occurring to the global discussion on climate change is laughable, since it has been around for many years. But, beyond the superficiality of the article, there are two points that stood out to me.
First, is the Pew opinion poll showing that individual Americans are more than ready to blame others (corporations, in particular) for climate change, but only 27% see the solution in individual behavior. They don't understand that the two things are the same, since we are all stakeholders and companies merely reflect the collective interests of all stakeholders, as they interact within the boundaries of what we call the corporation.
Second, I have always disliked the concept of "resilience." It is dangerous because it assumes we need to take the status quo as a given, and work from there. While there is obviously an empirical reality to this, accepting resilience without question avoids diagnosing the core problem and identifying why we are in the mess we are in. And, if we do not understand the cause of the problem, we are highly unlikely to solve it. Linking what Patagonia has done with regeneration to the 'excuse' of resilience is a disservice to the pioneering innovation of Yvon Chouinard (and, again, only ensures we continue to bury our heads in the sand):
"Of course, even getting companies to the stage of resilience – never mind regeneration – is a challenge. … Still, the appetite for change is there – and seems to only be growing. That's not least of all, say some leaders, because there's no good alternative."
Key takeaway – expect nothing to change.
Take care
David
David Chandler
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Davos 2024: The future of sustainable business is 'regeneration'
By Amanda Ruggeri
January 19, 2024
BBC
