We have a new record. But it’s not a good one. This Monday (3rd July) was the hottest day ever recorded globally. Let’s just take a minute for that information to sink in. The average global temperature was 17.01C - higher than the August 2016 record of 16.92C. (Cf. data from the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction). 🌅
And we know why.
We have global heating driven by our GHG emissions. And on top of this, the climate-heating El Niño event has just arrived. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) calls this a “double whammy” - with El Niño supercharging the extreme weather we are seeing. Some scientists are saying that 2023 could become the hottest recorded year, due to this “double whammy.”
Two key takeaways for us. 🌻
First, if there ever was a time to re-double our efforts to mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions - and adapt to the effects of climate change - this would be it. Of course, this transition has to be just. I love this quote by Damian Barr - initially intended for COVID-19 but equally applies to our climate crisis: “We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm. Some are on super-yachts. Some have just the one oar.”
Second, we need to build our own internal resilience, groundedness and well-being. To do that, I have started a new practice: nature therapy. 🌿 Every weekend, I am committed to reconnect with nature and centre myself back to what matters. This in turn is helping me stay laser focused on what needs to happen, and my role in supporting companies to get there. Last weekend, I went swimming in the cold and beautiful pond in Hampstead Heath (photo below). This weekend, I’m off to Kew Gardens. Tell us about your nature moments - what do you do and where do you go to stay resilient and grounded? 💫
Anna
