There's significant concern in environmental and scientific circles about the fact that we have already surpassed the 1.5 °C threshold outlined in the Paris Climate Accord. If we thought things were bad, they say, they're about to get worse, and they're probably quite right. We're already feeling the effects of much hotter summers, more ferocious storms, and extended wild fire seasons in many countries around the world.
Scientists are saying that this is the cost of not taking action when we had the chance. Many claim it's all carbon's fault. If only everyone had acted sooner to reduce carbon emissions, then maybe this could have been averted. Maybe, but probably not. Perhaps the more important reflection should be that too much time was spent deflecting real action with carbon credits and an obsession with measuring all things carbon.
The situation is not pretty. Sustainability advocates are exhausting themselves and feeling like it's a lost cause because they are doing everything they can and it's still not enough. The public seems to think it's too big of a problem for them to tackle and governments can't agree on anything which is really hindering any meaningful change in legislation.
We're still talking about the lack of progress and the need to accelerate efforts. We're still arguing about the best way forward. For every proposal there are multiple voices citing the negative impact to some sector of commerce and industry while the environmental cost is accepted as necessary for progress. Everyone is looking for an advantage, a way to mitigate the looming risks. Maybe the answers aren't as complex as we make it out to be. Maybe we shouldn't be so obsessed about carbon.
While curbing carbon emissions remain an important goal, there's something else that is already giving businesses an advantage. Regeneration — and it's about much more than just replanting mangroves and forests.
It's at the heart of building resilience, competitive advantage and delivering value to society. There's the potential of regeneration to not only mitigate current impacts but to start to reverse them. And it comes in many forms:
Recent urban regeneration efforts in Europe have been focused on greening spaces, with an aim of reducing inner city pollution and cooling streets. This has been done very effectively in Paris, by banning large SUV's from the inner city, removing parking spaces and replacing them with planted verges. Cycling and pedestrian routes have also been expanded and upgraded.
Similar programs are being implemented in The Netherlands where communities are being encouraged to dig up concrete pavements and create green spaces instead.
In the past when urban regeneration was discussed, it was about getting businesses into an area, or providing more infrastructure, now it's about creating healthier living and working environments, because the by-product of doing that, inadvertently results in economic growth.
There's recognition that the earth contains multiple carbon sinks capable of sequestering emissions and cooling the environment. The problem is that pollution and habitat destruction is hindering their ability to function effectively.
The curious thing is that with even the smallest of interventions, these areas regenerate naturally. When companies take a critical look at their supply chain, the design of their products, and materials used, and make choices that support sustainable resourcing, it takes the pressure off more vulnerable areas and gives them a chance to regenerate naturally. There are many initiatives aimed at doing exactly this — small steps that collectively can have a major impact.
We have more than enough resources available, but most economies are choosing to discard them instead of keeping them in circulation. The business of recycling or reusing materials is evolving despite the challenges and complexities in getting industries to change their habits.