Summer vacations are great for taking some distance from the daily rough ‘n tumble and reflect, and that is exactly what I did in the Alps with its awe-inspiring rock formations and spectacular nature. I had just consumed a TEDcountdown by climate impact scholar Johan Rockström (co-developer of the planetary boundaries framework), offering the most up-to-date scientific assessment of the state of the planet. ntial to enhance our inner strength.
This can include practices such as mindfulness meditation, regular physical exercise, and cultivating a supportive social network. Importantly, building resilience also involves reframing negative thoughts, focusing on what can be controlled, and setting realistic goals. By nurturing these habits, we can better withstand and bounce back from life’s challenges, transforming stress into an opportunity for growth and personal development.
Years ago, two personal beliefs fueled my positive decision to dedicate my time and energy to sustainability:
- Climate risks were being underestimated and the solution would require fundamental change
- The window of opportunity to remedy the problem is short relative to our human capacity to changeeffectively.
Evidently, the actions currently being taken globally do add up to significant progress, but they are generally viewed as insufficient to address the scale and urgency of the problem. So we are underway but stronger, more immediate and fundamental action is required to hit the targets set to avoid the worst outcomes. While scientists are getting really nervous, the situation is dynamic, and there is still hope if concerted global efforts are made.
Two fundamental insights resulted from my reflections on a mountaintop;
- Only solving the climate challenge outside ourselves will prove insufficient, deep inner work is needed to reconsider our way of life,
- Sustaining our current way of living by reducing the ‘unhelpful’ side effects and externalities will prove to be an illusion. Fundamental redesign is needed.
In our decision-making, we must prioritize the planet and future generations over short-term convenience or gain. This is not an easy path, but it is the necessary one. It calls for us to do what is right and embrace the consequences, stop feeding the illusion that we can still get away with current and past unsustainable habits and continue this practice for a while longer. This moment calls for courage, not complacency.
Complacency is not your friend
We live in a world where the temptation to do the bare minimum can be strong. It’s easy to believe that someone else will solve the problem, that incremental changes are enough, or that we have more time than we really do.
Complacency is a subtle but powerful adversary. It whispers that our individual contribution is just a drop in the ocean (so why bother), or that we’re doing enough, that we can wait a little longer, and that the status quo is acceptable. But in the face of climate change, complacency is a dangerous illusion.
The science is unequivocal: our current pace of action is not enough. If we continue on this trajectory, we risk pushing our planet beyond critical thresholds, leading to devastating impacts for all living beings. The window for effective action is narrowing, and the time for half-measures is over. The longer we delay, the harder the task becomes and what we really need are bold leaps.
Choosing Courage Every Day
Coeur (the French root meaning: heart) age – it is the ability to feel fear, face it, and do that hard thing anyway. Courage is a matter of the heart and therefore a matter of love. Doing the Heart Work. Truly meaningful change comes from within. It means being honest with self and acknowledging the scale of the challenge and positively choosing to be part of the solution.
Choosing courage means committing to actions that may be uncomfortable or challenging. It means rethinking our daily habits—how we consume, how we travel, how we live—and making choices that align with the well-being of our planet. The great news is that we have the solutions; phasing out fossil fuels, propagate circularity, self-love through healthy diets, and scaling nature regeneration and restoration efforts. So what is stopping us from doing what is right?
Here are a few practical ways you can choose courage over complacency in your own life:
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest climate science and share this knowledge with your community. Awareness is the first step toward meaningful change.
- Support Sustainable Practices:
- From the food you eat (either a plant-based diet or reduced meat consumption, reduced water and energy consumption from shorter and colder showers) to the products you buy, every decision has an impact.
- By choosing more sustainable travel options, you can significantly reduce your personal carbon footprint. Opt for walking, biking, or public transportation instead of driving, whenever possible. For longer distances, consider carpooling or using electric vehicles. If flying is necessary, consider purchasing carbon offsets to mitigate the impact of your flight.
- Small changes in energy use can lead to substantial reductions in your carbon footprint and also lower your utility bills. Make your home more energy-efficient by using LED lighting, unplugging devices when not in use, setting your thermostat lower in winter, and investing in energy-efficient appliances. Consider switching to a renewable energy provider.
- Support and Advocate for Climate-Positive Policies: make your voices heard and engage with local, national, and global leaders to push for policies that address climate change head-on: collective action and policy changes are essential for large-scale impact. This helps drive systemic change that can lead to substantial reductions in global emissions.
The Legacy
And as always, change starts with myself – I’m committed to being the change I want to see on the planet, even if it is with lots of trials and errors. I try to inspire those around me by living my values every day. My actions today will determine the world that future generations inherit. Will I be remembered as part of the generation that chose courage, and took bold action? Or will I be known for my complacency, for doing just enough to get by, but not enough to make a difference?
I choose courage. What is your choice?
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can create a future where humanity thrives in harmony with the Earth.
Let’s keep the conversation going. How are you choosing courage in your daily life? Share your stories and ideas with us, and let’s inspire each other to make a difference!
We can offer you support with both the inner and the outer work through the HeartWork Inner Knowing Journey, the Purpose Driven Impact Journey and deep experience with complex business transformations.
Please let us know what you think, we would love to hear from you via sendlove at heartwork dot earth.