Research & exploration: Living a sustainable life
Chapter 7: Introduction to my learning journey on Systems Change
In the final chapter of this series exploring the systemic inquiry, “How might we scale environmental awareness and action by tapping into the collective consciousness?”, I share my learnings on the meaning of sustainable living and how the interviewees have navigated this transition.
If you’ve followed the previous chapters, you’ve likely noticed a recurring theme: our intrinsic connection to nature and the critical importance of collective effort to renew and deepen the relationship with our surroundings.
Living sustainably means moving away from selfishness and broadening our horizons to see the bigger picture. Our social behaviours are largely dictated by the financial models that run our economies. Constant GDP growth fosters an insatiable need to own and purchase more. We have infinite possibilities, but we live in a finite world.
“Individuals want unlimited freedom at the expense of other people’s lives. We must let go of this consumerism status,” says Marie Geneste.
She shared the lifestyle changes embraced to reduce her carbon footprint, which are sometimes received with disbelief by others. These changes include transitioning to a vegetarian diet and committing to no longer flying.
The cause is much greater than our individual needs, and we must recognize the necessity of some sacrifice. She continues, “We feel happy and rewarded for having an impact.”
A Story of Survival
In his book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Harari discusses the historical shift from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural ones, marking the beginning of human separation from nature and its implications for modern society.
Our basic needs should include food, relationships, and safety, but humans wanted more and created additional needs. We were made for open spaces but moved into buildings. “Your life starts in a box and ends in a box”, says Niels de Fraguier.
To understand reality beyond our individual biases, it is healthy to speak to people with opposing views. Niels mentioned a valuable exchange with a climate denier: “These are the important conversations that provide the opportunity to question our assumptions.”
We should have an honest reflection on the reasons behind our actions: Why do we do what we do? Who are we collaborating with?
One for All and All for One
Change begins at the individual level, requiring proactive and authentic commitment to a vision. Change makers are not afraid to break the status quo; they understand the need to go the extra mile and ‘walk the talk.’ Once you experience the impact of your actions, there’s no turning back.
Michael Miller uses the analogy of streetlamps to explain the individual power of meditators. Just as lamps dispel darkness and illuminate their part of the street, meditators practice what positively affects their health. They de-excite their nervous systems and bring calm and coherence into the world. According to Miller, the world needs “the presence, personality, ideas, and energy from meditators.”
He emphasizes that while collective consciousness influences how we relate and connect to nature, it originates at the atomic level.“Everyone wants a green forest, but the only way to have it is by having green trees.”
The Role of Businesses
Business as usual often lacks a systemic mindset, which involves thinking broadly and ahead, while emphasizing prevention. Successful projects that work with and for nature integrate circularity and regenerative practices into their business models.
Consider Patagonia, the clothing company that drew inspiration from the Steward Ownership model to lock in its commitment to protecting and restoring nature. Earth became the only shareholder, while money and power were separated into a trust that controls all shares with voting rights and an environmental non-profit collective that controls all shares with dividend rights.
Perhaps it is time to tell the story of degrowth: do it better, instead of more. Less animal consumption, better food. Fewer clothes, better-quality garments. Slow down. Reduce the options, so that nature-positive products and services become the norm. This is where the power of regulation lies: taxation based on environmental impact could make extractive and pollutive practices unlawful and unaffordable.
Niels provides a reality check: “You’re not going to control the fate of humanity. We’re directed by the time we don’t have, that is taken from us. We should have worked less with all the tools we have created.”
When I started to think about my role as a pollinator (mentioned in Chapter 1), it made sense to work directly with business owners and corporate teams as the “smaller units” with the potential to change within my sphere of influence. Partnering as a design consultant with small startups in Europe, sharing alternative ways of developing ideas became part of my repertoire. What if I could expand this and spark a sense of urgency, responsibility, and action to protect nature?
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If you’re an entrepreneur or team leader looking to work in harmony with nature, I invite you to join me and The C Collective on a journey toward regeneration. Please feel free to reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.
It has been a pleasure sharing this adventure with you, exploring how we might transform our actions to rewrite the story of our planet. Together, we can make a difference.
CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS READING
Chapter 1: Diving in to find a way out of the climate crisis.
Chapter 2: What is consciousness and how it manifests?
Chapter 3: Our behaviour as humans (and as a collective)
Chapter 4: What makes us change?
Chapter 5: Our connection to and disconnection from nature
Chapter 6: Who are the awakened individuals taking action?
