Did you know that 2022 was the fifth warmest year in
history? On top of that, the past 9 years have been the
warmest since modern record keeping began. What
happens when the earth warms? The oceans warm, causing
more moisture in the atmosphere, more extreme weather
events (Florida, California, Pakistan…to name a few), fires
due to drought ridden areas (Argentina had over 1,000
fires) and Europe witnessing fires as more common place
year over year.
There's no doubt that we need to do something about this
problem and there is no shortage of money and resources
being thrown towards it in 2023 and beyond. Look no
further than the Inflation Reduction Act passed in the
U.S. - $369 billion to help the effort. Some examples
include support for energy efficiency, heat pumps, solar
panels…and tax credits for new projects from electric
vehicles to green energy (new wind farms, hydrogen
projects, etc.). If you're interested in reading more about
this and other topics, Mackenzie Investments does a great
job summarizing their 2023 Environmental Outlook:
https://www.mackenzieinvestments.com/en/investments/bystrategy/sustainable-investing
In order to create change there must be resources and new
technologies to help combat the effects of climate change
as a result of our way of life. This masks our behaviour
and helps reduce the impact. What is often overlooked is
how our behavior will need to change in the future.
Some examples of this type of much needed positive
behavior change are listed below:
- Canadian government banning single use plastics.
- Continued food group education and positive promotion
- More plant-based alternatives to meat
- More options for mass transit instead of private vehicles
- Working from home (although many are being called back
to work)
Some key products and initiatives helping to reduce the
impact of our everyday activities:
- Reusable water bottles
- Smart thermostats
- Heat pumps creating better efficiency
- Renewable power
- Electric vehicles
- Sustainability as inclusion of innovation and products
We have made some progress yet there is more to be
done…everything takes time and shifting behaviour will
also take time and political alignment in the spirit of
positive change - like that will ever happen? With such a
daunting task at hand, we must continue to make small
improvements instead of throwing in the towel. We're
asking you to take a look at the way you live and see what
changes you can make to your daily life as a consumer and
participant.
Next week we touch more on the concept of adversity
becoming opportunity with strategies, outcomes and the
products/technologies being used with success and how you
can invest in these areas. Part of the values versus value
discussion with a dash of "we are all in this together"
introspection.
Our attention is drawn to the human reality and behaviour
of anything in life we see clearly yet fail to acknowledge a
need to change our behaviour or beliefs as a first step
towards accommodating this clarity resulting in action for
better outcomes.
Simply, when tough love calls, find alignment with purpose,
set aside personal agendas and act selflessly.
Our quote this week is one we've used in the past and a
personal favourite from the Dalai Lama:
"If you think you are too small to make a difference,
try sleeping with a mosquito."
Thank you,