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Dear Planetary Steward, dear friend of the Global Commons Alliance,
Let’s imagine it’s 2050 and the shift to a Safe and Just world is well underway. The economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions of the 2020s feel far behind us. Humanity is working across sectors to transform how we live our lives with nature – and all of us are thriving.
To get to this possible future, it would take a great number of smaller, catalyzing steps. Next week we will see one of these many potential moments. On March 19-21 the Villars Institute Summit 2025 will take place to bring together entrepreneurs, investors and civil society leaders to address the climate and biodiversity crises through systemic change. GCA will be there, and we look forward to sharing outcomes in our next newsletter.
But while many of our readers may have opportunities to contribute to such progress through powerful jobs or networks, transformative change can also begin closer to home. The communities each of us live in are also undergoing the metamorphosis required for a new world. Despite chaotic headlines about tariffs and inflation, when we look up from our phones we see real people laying the foundations for what could become circular, less extractive ways for society to function. Mutual aid groups which were set up around the world during the 2020 lockdowns are still busy with neighborhoods sharing skills and resources. In the US, grassroots groups are stepping up to meet communities in need when hurricanes and wildfires strike.
And we never tire of the many stories that show the great power of community action. Last week youth activist Clover Hogan presented the tale of Targinnie in Australia, a small community impacted by shale oil mining which poisoned its air and water, causing widespread illness in the 90s. When the mining operation was heading to Clover’s childhood home, Proserpine, the residents from both towns came together to fight the mine – and won. On the other side of the world, in Corby, UK, is a similar story currently trending on Netflix called Toxic Town. Dubbed the “British Erin Brockovich”, the show recounts how poisonous dust caused birth defects in local children in the 80s. The landmark civil court ruling against Corby was made possible by the children’s mothers, who against all odds demanded justice for their families.
From Elizabeth Wathuti’s Green Generation Initiative of nature-based solutions in Kenya, to Vanessa Nakate, climate justice activist from Uganda and founder of the Vash Green Schools Project which addresses energy poverty in rural schools, it’s no coincidence that many local successes are led by mothers, women old and young, and school girls. This past weekend’s celebrations for International Women’s Day remind us – as they did for Women and Girls in Science Day – that one of the planet’s most powerful levers for change is those who are also most vulnerable to the climate and nature crisis. Beyond stories, the data proves it too. Project Drawdown identified family planning and education for women and girls as a top priority for effective emissions reduction – ahead of both solar power and electric vehicles.
While our incumbent economic system struggles to protect nature and sustain life on Earth – which is also accelerating the cost of living for everyone – a new system is being born in our towns, villages and streets. Alongside huge global events like COP30 and COP16, friendly neighbors sharing homegrown food also count toward the future we can all imagine, if we just look up from our phones – to the people in front of us.
With all our best,
The Global Commons Alliance team
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