“We are in a race, but we are on the right side of history.” This is the message I shared this week at Ceres 35th Anniversary Gala in NYC, marking decades of leadership with our investor and company partners on climate, water, and nature risks. “We’re in a race to curb the greatest challenge of our lives, to dramatically ramp up investments and innovations already underway. The past ten years of change have been extraordinary. Yet, at this moment, we’re not winning. Climate challenges are escalating, energy demand is growing, and despite extraordinary progress, it’s simply not enough. And we face opponents who have the audacity to suggest that investors and companies should be prohibited from acting on climate change. But when it comes to tackling climate change, water scarcity, and nature loss, we are defiant. Science is clear, the consequences daunting, and climate catastrophes now part of everyday existence. We can do this. Together, we’ve done a lot. Ceres created global partnerships that mobilize the most influential companies and investors to champion climate action in their businesses, their portfolios, and Congress. We established the business case for a future where the economy and the planet thrive. We will keep moving forward with a deep sense of optimism, because the clean economy momentum is undeniable. Progress is happening, but we must move faster. We know where the risks are, where the profits of the future will be. Together, we are unstoppable."
Eric Israël
1mo
Harsh message Andrew Watson but so true. As a GRI advocate, founded by CERES, and its former US director it was clear that the accounting industry was suspicious about all this sustainability stuff. GRI’s last leader from the accounting industry turned out to be a trojan horse who resigned in the midst of turmoil to secure a safe accounting position somewhere else. Accountants will save the world? Turns out accountants only saved companies lots of money by supporting delay of meaningful action. We are kept hostage by the many industries and undemocratic regimes defending their status-quo to which our planet has no defense under the law. Accounting has a lot of potential, I only wish accountants had more courage to let corporations tell the truth.
Co-Founder, Rethinking Capital—Accounting for Reality
1mo‘Yet, at this moment, we’re not winning’ How can you expect to win Mindy when the climate movement has spent 27 years not understanding the true root cause of the problem nor who you’re really up against? Too few leaders in the movement have awareness to stop and ask ‘what on earth are we missing?’ As the end of this story unfolds, you’ll put your hand over your mouth at some point—shocked that you’d missed something so obvious—something you kind of knew, a splinter in your mind. Had sat many times in the shiny offices of those who you’re really up against, shook their hands, had photos with them. Above all trusted them—imagined they were allies.