The Future We Choose
by Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac
Welcome to our first ‘Book On A Page’ where we bring you the best of the best in a jiffy.
Why this book? Because it’s practical, optimistic and empowering. Written by two enlightened climate leaders, it’s an inspiring call to action to every one of us.
The gist: Hands up those of you who don’t want another tale of climate doom? Well, here we have it. Acknowledging the absolute gravity and urgency of what we face, the authors make a clear and compassionate call. If every one of us plays our part with wholehearted optimism, a safe future for our planet is still within our grasp. What’s more it can be a joyful, rewarding and regenerative journey. But we have to choose - not just what we do but who we choose to be.
The reality: Two dates should be seared in everyone’s minds: 2030 and 2050. Our emissions have to halve by 2030, halve again by 2040 and reach net-zero by 2050. That is our final limit. We need to let go of mediocre attempts and instead act in proportion to the magnitude of the challenge.
The mindset: The biggest obstacle is our own mind. We give up (it’s too late), we abdicate (it’s up to the governments isn’t it?), we turn the other way (it’s too scary), we switch off (rather not think about it). Understandable. But complacency is the biggest risk. Fatalism and feeling powerless is an indulgence we cannot afford. It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that a better future is not only possible but probable and to fiercely love our beautiful planet back to health.
They postulate that three specific mindsets are needed to take us there:
There are also ten specific actions, including: moving beyond fossil fuels, reforesting the earth, investing in clean economies, being citizens not consumers, and engaging in politics. Sound familiar? Yes, we’ve been doing them!
The choice: “As human beings, we all have the outrageous fortune to be here on this planet at this moment of profound consequence. The full story has not been written. We still hold the pen. And we can choose to write a story of regeneration of both nature and the human spirit. But we have to choose.”
Our reflections?
This book invigorated us with even more resolve and reaffirmed that together we’re on the right track. We’re looking reality in the eye, responding with commitment and optimism, calling on all forms of our power - how we live, how we buy, how we rejuvenate, how we engage - to become loving custodians of our beautiful planet. We should all be SO proud.
What now?
Step it up.
Forward this to one friend and let them know they’re needed.
Retake your carbon footprint test so you have a clear snapshot in time.
What can you do to halve yours by 2030?Commit to optimism, abundance and regeneration.
High five for what we’ve done so far? High five!
We…
Aimee: I started reading this book one sunny, Sunday afternoon and was glued - I finished it in one sitting!! It’s not a long book (<200 pages) so if you can spare the time, I highly recommend the full read. I was bouncing around afterwards, excited for the possibilities we could create and then immediately ordered a copy for Sonia.
Sonia: Do you know what’s really striking about this book? Apart from the determined, optimistic, abundant mindset which is the key to everything? It’s that Figueres and Carnac, so instrumental in the 2015 Paris agreement, state we can no longer afford to assume it’s someone else’s responsibility. Whoever we are, we are needed now, in every one of our roles - parent, friend, CEO, Member of Parliament. Their final call is to us.
“We are all leaders. If we choose.”