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Dear Planetary Steward, dear friend of the Global Commons Alliance,
The first two weeks of 2025 have brought devastating wildfires and floods around the world. A reminder of what we already know: our way of life is putting civilization and all life on Earth at great risk. This fact is confirmed in the WEF’s latest Global Risks report published today, which lists extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and inequality as top risks for the next two years and beyond. But many don’t know that a pathway to a Safe and Just future exists. That is why we will be at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, to share with leaders the latest Earth Commission science, which shows how global biophysical boundaries must underpin political and economic decision making. The Science Based Targets Network will also demonstrate that companies and cities have a leading role to play in steering our planet forward.
But we can only seize this path to prosperity for people and the planet, if Earth’s critical resources are better shared between all of us. For humanity to stabilize the planet and also thrive, we need to work together across sectors at all levels. This year WEF’s theme is ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’, to highlight the potential for AI and intelligent systems to address the planetary crisis and forge a resilient future. While dramatic advances in AI, as well as continued geopolitical instability, will make our challenge even harder and take greater collective endeavor than ever before—if we collaborate intelligently, anything is possible.
And why not? Many of us want the same thing. The GCA is experiencing a surge of networks and organizations who are calling for a more holistic effort to safeguard a diverse, secure planet in which people can thrive with nature. Shared knowledge and ambition are the basis for collaboration. We are converging over what we all have in common. In 2025 we intend to nurture this convergence and enable real action.
Fifteen years on from the climate documentary ‘Age of Stupid’, and nearly 20 years on from Al Gore’s film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, we must now usher in this new ‘age of intelligence’ toward protecting the global commons for all. While geopolitical challenges are now unavoidable, so are cross-sectoral connections—and their acceleration has the power to encourage responsible leadership that ensures everyone has a voice in shaping our collective future. Embracing Safe and Just pathways in 2025 will perhaps be the greatest sign of intelligence that humanity can express in history.
All my best,
Jane
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