David B. McGinty

Fresh off the (digital) press! Read our latest article on the Light of the Future Foundation blog! This piece provides an insightful overview of a critical global issue: biodiversity loss and its alarming implications for our planet. Please drop a like and comment on the blog post to encourage us! We're excited to create more content! Any suggestions for future articles?

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I hope that this super important piece by Kenny Torrella at Vox will lead to some reflection among the big Green Groups like WWF, The Nature Conservancy, and EDF about their deeply misguided industry partnerships that give cover to the highly destructive meat and dairy industry in exchange for millions of dollars in donations. In the words of an EDF staffer: “Instead of calling them out for causing harm, EDF lets them pollute and praises them for what little they do in hopes we’ll eventually convince them to change. So EDF provides cover for businesses by letting them set their own ambition.” I am one of the greens mentioned in this article who have "expressed deep frustration over their fellow environmentalists’ indifference to the meat industry’s environmental destruction, or worse, some organization’s willingness to partner with companies on greenwashing projects." Whether it is the Global Roundtable on "Sustainable" Beef or Tyson's "climate-friendly beef," or other industry alliances, the Big Green groups' endorsement and promotion of these bullshit industry PR tactics gives license to the industry to expand their destructive practices. Worse, it undermines other groups' efforts to slash meat and dairy subsidies and push for meaningful regulations that will hold these polluting corporations' accountable for the deep harm they are causing to the planet and local communities.

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📢 𝗖𝗢𝗣29 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗶𝗷𝗮𝗻 and it’s a wake-up call for those responsible for using flawed metrics in climate accountability.  Without accurate data, we’re shooting in the dark - risking ineffective climate strategies and misdirected efforts. 🌍 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 🌍 Our latest research paper from the International Climate Adaptation Research Institute (iCARI.eu) reveals a critical flaw in relying on per capita emissions to assess countries' climate impacts. Here’s what we found: 🔍 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀: While widely used, per capita indicators often lead to skewed conclusions. Small countries can appear disproportionately high in emissions per capita, while large nations with high total emissions may seem "low-impact." This approach fails to reflect true environmental responsibility. 💡 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: Our analysis of India, Slovakia, and Palau illustrates how per capita values can misrepresent climate impact. Focusing on total emissions and sectoral data reveals a more accurate picture of each country's contribution to climate change. 🚨 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿-𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: Analyzing emissions by sector-energy, transportation, agriculture, ... provides a nuanced view, highlighting structural differences in each country’s economy and energy use. 📊 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: We must go beyond averages to develop fair, effective climate policies. Absolute emissions and sectoral breakdowns offer a more straightforward pathway to understanding each nation’s climate role. 🔍 For policymakers, climate experts, and global citizens alike, this study underscores the urgent need for metrics that truly capture the environmental impact of nations. 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆! 🌱 💡 Why not settle for an average view on an issue as complex as climate change? Joseph Stiglitz reminds us: “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼; 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗱, 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱; 𝗶𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.” It is time to move away from "superficial activism" and toward deeply knowledgeable critical thinking. Otherwise, we will remain trapped in our ignorance. Buzzwords will not save us. COP29 Azerbaijan

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📣 The latest #MIP4Adapt newsletter is out now! Get the latest in climate adaptation, MIP4Adapt news, upcoming events, funding opportunities, Mission project updates and more. Read it here and don't forget to subscribe: https://lnkd.in/gpJtSv_n #EUmissions #HorizonEU #MissionClimateAdaptation #MIP4Adapt

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I’ve been enjoying reading this white paper from Josh Lerner, "From Waves to Ecosystems: The Next Stage of Democratic Innovation". Lerner cautions against single-solution mentalities that can come with “waves” of democratic innovation, and makes me reflect on my own behaviour. Here’s his description: “Each wave becomes top-heavy with big expectations that it will change everything and be the one solution we’ve been waiting for. These expectations eventually exceed what the wave can support, and it comes crashing down…Waves are also competitive, creating a zero-sum game in which the success of one wave hurts the others. Most advocates cast their preferred innovation as the solution, with any other approaches coming at the expense of their real democracy. Everyone wants to be a diva, and not enough people want to join a choir.” Instead, Lerner talks about democracy as ecosystems that are: “…diverse, interconnected, and dynamic - a model for the democracy we need…When citizens vote against reproductive rights in a referendum, it can impact elections. When a champion of deliberation wins an election, it can launch a citizens’ assembly. When citizens’ assembly members return to their community, they may propose new ideas in town meetings or participatory budgeting programs. If those ideas gain enough traction, they may result in a referendum. Nurturing a landscape of interconnected democratic practices can make each one stronger.” I also appreciated the success stories described in the report, including Paris, with its permanent citizens’ assembly and €100 million annual participatory budgeting program, South Korea, with its national participatory budgeting program in 2021 allocating the equivalent of USD $201 million, and Brazil, with its legacy of national public policy conferences and its new digital democracy platform. I was especially interested in the nod to educational institutions in the list of possibilities reviewed—from schools to universities, these institutions are already funded and have so much potential to leverage the assets that exist in their students and educators in ways that put democracy in action. Finally, I appreciated some of the advice Lerner provides around communicating democracy, including how those of us in the field often alienate those we’re meaning to convince by describing our technocratic visions of democracy rather than the experiences residents and citizens want to achieve. To this, I might add that democracy-oriented folks are sometimes guilty of defining democracy as public policies that align with our own politics and ideologies, thereby indirectly signaling to others that democracy isn’t for them—the exact opposite of what we want to achieve. You can get the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gdnFyjFn People Powered, University of Delaware, SFU's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

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Sign up for our webinar today with the IPCC and IPBES chairs, on forging science for action for considering climate change and nature jointly! Link below.

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Nick Mabey’s keynote address at mySociety’s #TICTeC (The Impacts of Civic Technology) a few weeks ago was truly mind expanding. I was introduced to the crucial intersection of democracy and the climate crisis when I joined mySociety and SocietyWorks three years ago. Nick Mabey speaks with authority and global experience about the critical, complex and urgent challenges that face us all. Key takeaways for me: - We need to put democratic values, institutional strengthening, and governance innovation back at the heart of climate change. - We don’t talk enough about the threat of climate change to our fragile democratic and human rights systems. - It’s not enough to just follow the science. Science doesn’t tell you how to rewire human decision making. - Climate action is complex and overwhelming for decision makers and citizens alike. How do we construct ways of working and thinking and spreading the burden so it is not so overwhelming, even to people who look like they have power? - Environmental democracy is in retreat across the world. - Strengthening environmental democracy is mission critical for solving climate change. - Climate change is also an opportunity to build alliances with broader groups focused on accountability. - To build a reliable basis for climate action there is a need to properly integrate environmental democracy approaches across climate policy, governance and financing. “We are going to make a lot of mistakes trying to do this ridiculously large project. Without legitimacy and feedback loops we will never course correct or be able to survive those mistakes without losing public support.” The link to Nick’s keynote address is in the post shared below. I would encourage anyone to invest their time into listening to this. Thank you, Nick, for sharing such immense insight with us 🤩

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Nice article on why, as climate breaches our BAU system limits, we need to get more comfortable taking risks, and acknowledging and learning fast from failures. Thanks for sharing John Matthews

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There's a fine balance in climate communications: don't shy away from the impacts, but leave enough space for hope and action. David Geselbracht nails it in his new book, Climate Hope, on sale October 19. It was my pleasure to edit this book and learn more about the interweaving fields of glaciology, climate law and diplomacy, and tangible actions to address the climate crisis. And yes, to finish with a bit more hope. #climatehope #climatecommunications

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Today is the World´s Environmental Day! I remember a conference where I was a speaker presenting the concept of "regenerative museums", and the host asked me: “But museums will not start planting trees, will they? As this is not in their function to do so, I suppose they might have other ways to support environmental causes more closely related to their core mission, right?” I would argue: *What if we change the core function of museums? *What if we reframe their vision and purpose? *What if we truly acknowledge the climate and social emergency we are facing? >>>Would that urge organizations, regardless of their function, to prototype new ways of responding to the needs of a planet that is desperately calling for our full commitment to transition to a different way of living, being, and acting?<<< Going back to the question posed by the conference host, I also argued that solutions cannot be limited to simply "replanting trees". Regeneration is much more about "replanting ancestral and natural wisdom" into our dry minds than replanting trees in dry lands. It is a lot about regenerating social values that will lead us to build a healthy environment. By reminding us that we are an undissociated part of nature, we may relearn how to care for the environment and others as much as we care for ourselves. Today, I invite you to reimagine what your organization (and you!) can do to support the environment so that it can continue supporting us. I have chosen to connect museums to the regeneration movement and to encourage them to become regenerative forces. What do you choose today? Two inspirations: 1) Here is a "Regeneration Rising Podcast" trailer, a video from the beautiful series that Daniel Christian Wahl, Philipa Duthie (series 2) and Josie Warden (series one) have developed as a repository and live resources hub of regenerative thinking through The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce) > LINK: https://lnkd.in/eYawmAhb 2) This is the Instagram channel of the organization I founded in Brazil RegeneraMuseu: https://lnkd.in/erwfgJfQ #EnviromentalDay #rewilding #restoration #revegetation #regeneration #regenerativemuseums #regeneraMuseu

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What a fantastic template for simultaneously safeguarding #biodiversity and human livelihoods in the face of the combined pressures of a changing climate and land use change presssures causes by development. I hope more regions (including especially #Florida) can bring such planning and vision to life. “A first-of-its-kind study highlights how Florida can buffer itself against both climate change and population pressures by conserving the remaining 8 million acres of "opportunity areas" within the Florida Wildlife Corridor (FLWC). Currently, about 10 million acres of the expansive FLWC's 18 million acres are already conserved permanently. This superhighway of interconnected acres of wildlands, working lands and waters is the only designated statewide corridor in the United States, and a world-class adaption plan facing down ground zero of climate change in an already warm location. Spanning from Alabama to the Everglades, the FLWC not only protects endangered species like the Florida panther, but also brings economic and climate benefits to local communities.” Read more here: https://flip.it/7s6DO7 #wildlifecorridors #adaptation #resilience #climatechange #landmanagement #wetlands Florida Atlantic University Florida State University University of Central Florida University of Florida University of South Florida South Florida Water Management District ReThink Energy Florida Dover, Kohl, & Partners Town Planning UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning

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What Max Scher from Salesforce said! If we’re interested in maximizing climate impact and outcomes we need clear incentives that support inside and outside value chain mitigation. Hoping we can increase attention and focus in particular on adaptation and resilience as explicit parts of climate action strategies in the future.

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What does the Trump victory in the US mean for #climateaction globally? That's up to the rest of us to decide now. My advice: Let's fight even harder, and smarter! In another valuable contribution, Carbon Brief asked scientists. Most call for other countries and non-state actors to step in and step up. And of course they are right. It is easy to despair right now, for scientists and activists (this one included). What makes things particularly difficult is the fact that those most affected are those least #responsible. But giving up is simply not an option. Too much is at stake. For all species. Lets abuse Trump's win to turbocharge #action everywhere else. However: Important now is to REALLY step up the fight - and to realise that more of the same will not get us anywhere near our targets in the time. Particularly with Trump in the white house. One key step-up opportunity is the #border - and with it, a focus on consumption-based emissions. The Trump administration has already announced how they plan to fight with #tariffs. Let's give them that fight by adjusting for GHG. The EU has provided the groundwork with #cbam. Others can and must go further. The right implementation will strengthen developing countries as the pricing of consumption-based emissions by rich importing nations will create the mechanism needed to #finance the global transition. Let's start tomorrow, at #cop29 and everywhere else. #wto #climate #policy #advocacy #borderadjustment #emissionpricing #climateincentive https://lnkd.in/dhzKwEeF

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Countries' climate action has long been characterised as a "prisoners' dilemma" or "collective action problem". That paradigm assumes national governments are all seeking to minimize their own contribution to cutting emissions. The reality is different and we are now seeing that borne out. It's now coming up for 4 years old, but this is one of the most important papers about climate policy and politics of the last decade. The authors argue that people confuse climate *policy* and climate *outcomes*. They write: "climate outcomes are undoubtedly characterized by negative externalities. Policy, however, responds to a different logic." #energytransition #industrialpolicy https://lnkd.in/g-tzfGQD

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Appallingly bad basis and calculations from economists wrt climate impacts are keeping us from acknowledging reality and acting. We really need Economics to understand and ack science instead of pretending to be one standalone. Being out of alignment with thermodynamics isn't going to hold in reality, whatever the belief system. (and this is still based on CO2 and temperature, not the loss of the natural "shock absorbption" in the oceans, soils and forests that we've lost at a crazy rate and continue to lose, that buffered the effects).

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For those looking to better understand #ClimateJustice, #JustTransition, and #EnvironmentalJustice, Confluence Philanthropy just launched this resource. LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND: Definitions and Resources for Investing in Climate Justice "...embracing these principles may require a fundamental shift in thinking about the appropriateness of pursuing market-rate profits when investing in climate justice. By redefining what success looks like... ethical investors can play a crucial role in creating a more just and sustainable world." https://lnkd.in/eMzWkmFQ Made possible by the support of Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the partnership and contributions of many: Authors: Dana Lanza, Laurin Liu Contributors: Lakshmin Datysgeld Guzman, Sarah DeNicola, Nina Kantcheva Tushev, and Olivia Knight Editorial Committee: Joshua Amponsem, Pedro Henriques da Silva, Mariama Williams And insights and expertise from Candide Group, Climate Justice Alliance Climate Justice Resilience Fund, CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.), The Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, Morrison Foerster, Pawanka Fund, SHINE Collective, MALI OLE, Raphael Lenaruti, and Karen Swift.

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Reports of the demise of climate action in the US are wildly premature As are reports about the “end” of ESG, DEI, and other acronyms the new administration dislikes. However, the locus and nature of the action will shift, and it’s possible we will end up with something clearer, better defined and more honest. (Possible, though maybe not the most likely scenario…) I spoke to Jordan Wolman at POLITICO about all this: “Broadly speaking, the private sector — as in, the companies actually responsible for climate change — isn’t likely to scale back its green transition plans because of Trump alone. What will likely change: Where the pressure points are on climate. “If you don't see the action coming from the policy environment [under a Trump administration], arguably, there'll be more pressure on the private sector,” said Alison Taylor, clinical associate professor at the NYU School of Business with a focus on sustainability. “This energy has got to go somewhere. A lot of corporations are underestimating angry employees, angry consumers, more campaigns, more activism. There's a lot of point pressuring Joe Biden over climate. There's not that much point pressuring the Trump administration.” “And so where will all that energy and money and pressure and people who care deeply about this go? I think it's going to go back toward the private sector.” I highly recommend the Long Game newsletter!

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