'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence', Helen Keller
Hope is what makes the world go around, as its energy circles the planet like the rings of Saturn, constantly there, always reminding us that the sun will rise again. As the new year dawns, it brings with it waves of hope. This sense of hope is even more tangible when it comes to us from the hearts of the youth of the world.
A recent survey conducted by Mazdar is the source of my hope, because Gen Z say climate change will be the biggest threat to the world within a decade. This is deep awareness from the youth is refreshing. 32% of the 4704 respondents across 20 countries spread across the Middle east & North Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and Africa, felt that climate change is a threat now and 40% feel it will be the biggest threat over the next decade. Most of this increased awareness comes from the media, reiterating the crucial role that articles like what you are reading now is playing in the overall scheme.
Importantly, young people are keen to take on more responsibility to find solutions, and 83% feel that governments need to listen to young people more on issues surrounding sustainability. This makes so much sense as 35% of the youth in the survey felt that they have the responsibility to find solutions. The wisdom of the youth is demonstrated even further when 81% felt that business and governments and corporations share equal responsibility for developing clean technology and renewable energy. Having said that they feel that businesses are today taking on more responsibility, but in the future, this needs to increase. This demand is coming from a background, where 46% feel that they are doing more than most people they know who are green.
All this intent is being translated into their decision making on products they buy when we see that 46% think green products are just as good as regular alternatives, 49% spent more to buy from more sustainable companies, and interestingly 31% have boycotted products that are non-sustainable. A great pointer for businesses of the future.
All this hope is against a bleak outlook in general. According to Climate Central, 2016 is about to be declared the hottest year on record for the third straight year, a remarkable streak fuelled primarily by the excess heat trapped in Earth's atmosphere by ever-rising levels of greenhouse gases. While that streak is expected to end, in part because of the demise of one of the strongest El Niños on record, 2017 is still expected to be among the hottest years in more than 130 years of record keeping, according to a forecast from the U.K. Met Office. Because of global warming, "each new year is basically predestined to be among the warmest on record," said Deke Arndt, chief of the monitoring branch of the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information, said in an email to Climate Central. Because of global warming, 16 of the 17 hottest years on record have occurred this century, the only exception being the strong El Niño year of 1998.
Despite all this heat around the planet, my heart warms with a glimmer of hope coming from the youth of the planet. I believe that when you mix strong intent with the immense potency of youth, you are likely to get magical outcomes! So there is hope.
Neil Young in his song 'Be the rain' says, ''Save the planet for another day. We got a job to do. We got to save mother earth''. I hope all of you remember this in the coming year.
