The right office climate: Making “points of light” a “constellation.”

The European Directives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda represent important steps in the fight to save the planet, yet they are not enough on their own. Despite the progress made, the goal of reducing emissions by 55 percent by 2030 still remains a distant goal. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), if this goal can be achieved, global temperatures can be stabilized. However, this does not mean that global temperatures will return to previous levels. Many of the climate changes that have already occurred cannot be reversed, only stopped, slowed or stabilized. Immediate and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would slow global warming within a decade, but it may take about two decades before we clearly see a stabilization of temperatures. Although many recognize the seriousness of the situation, few are willing to take concrete action.
According to a recent IPSOS report, only seven out of ten people predict that climate change will have a “severe effect” within the next ten years. However, when asked if they would be willing to pay to combat climate change, the percentage drops dramatically to three, and in Italy, even to one.

The concept of sacrifice is now out of fashion. Yet, the word “sacrifice” comes from the Latin sacrificium (compound of sacrum “sacred rite” and –ficium “-ficio” from “facere” do) meaning to make sacred what I am doing. Nowadays, desire is often seen as a right, while sacrifice is not seen as a way to actualize such desires. Yet it is only through small daily “sacrifices” that we can make a difference: actions such as sorting, recycling, choosing healthy and organic food, and saving water are concrete examples of how simple gestures can contribute to meaningful change. Plastics, in particular, continue to
pose a serious environmental threat. Plastic islands in the oceans are a sad example of how devastatingly plastic waste accumulates in global waters. This phenomenon not only compromises marine ecosystems, but also poses a serious threat to human health. Determined action must be taken to reduce its use, promote recycling and develop sustainable alternatives.

Almost a century ago, Gandhi stated, “The future depends on what you do today.” Clearly, the wisdom of those words is reflected throughout the world today. We are the last generation who have the power to shape a sustainable environment for future generations. In the current business environment, we often see widespread rhetoric about sustainability, but too frequently this translates into greenwashing. It is crucial that companies do not just proclaim their sustainability, but actually engage in tangible green transition.
The active presence of what I call “warm intelligence,” a kind of intelligence that not only understands scientific data, research and statistics, but enriches them with love and affection, fully assuming the associated responsibilities, is crucial. It is a quantum leap that can make it possible to win the environmental battle and the battle for human survival on the planet.

There are, in fact, “points of light” represented by people, realities, movements, artist groups and companies that are committed to the good of the planet, but the challenge of climate change requires an even broader collective commitment. Concrete action is needed to make a difference and help reduce its consequences. Personally, I try to make “points of light” a “constellation.”