We Are Each A Part of "The System"

You know how you hear the term “systems thinking” a lot more these days - and maybe it’s become so overused that you now roll your eyes when you come across it? Well, hold on. If you think about how more people need to see, claim and use their own climate influence, part of that is realizing that their little piece of this system of change MATTERS.

And yet, too few see their own agency. When I advise leaders, some seem hamstrung by not wanting to be *too* visible in relation to whatever brand they represent or it’s CEO. Other clients come to me believing deeply that their work is just too small to get noticed.

But, those of us aware of and determined to contribute to a better world are part of a full canvas of change. The more of us who step up in climate action, the more we inspire others around us to do the same. We can build that plane while flying it, people. And, when we do that - the greater, grander systems that companies have to work within will also shift to go with OUR collective flow.

All that is to say, this has me thinking. What I see:

• There’s an old system that does not work (and each element of the system - transportation, food, etc. also does not work in its own sphere)
• Old systems keep rolling because each piece stays the same or barely changes (out of fear of those “in control”or a sense of defeat)
• The only way we shake it up is by rising in each of our individual noise or influence and forming a too-big to miss shift that the greater system has to allow for and start to work around.

Does that resonate? (P.S. Can we take this attitude with us to Climate Week later this month?)

Now, obviously, I am no academic and all of this likely doesn’t map out perfectly. Also, I may have had too much of that mushroom coffee that’s all over Instagram. But, as a podcast host and person yelling about climate influence, let’s just say I am known for my energy, enthusiasm and joy. I thrive in finding and connecting people in ways that make THEM more energized and enthused about what we can all do together. I’ve seen it work. I know there is a lot more room to nudge systems-impacting shift using that mechanism.

Case in point: please read the LA Times Editorial Board piece on SB253 (see below). With regard to that, a lot of individuals and organizations claimed their agency, found each other, and … I think we may all be making history together! Systems will shift.

News To Use

RE: Corporate climate accountability/importance of CA SB253 via LA Times Editorial Board

A transparency measure to require corporations to report to the state Air Resources Board may sound like just a record-keeping exercise. But this would be groundbreaking legislation, with the potential to reach far beyond California’s borders by forcing some of the world’s biggest businesses to be honest about the damage they are causing.

Advising the coalition involved in this campaign has been incredible. The momentum, and the list of big corporations already supporting - which includes Microsoft, Salesforce, Levis, Seventh Generation. IKEA and more - is on fire. The Climate Influence of this sort of disclosure requirement would be an absolute game-changer. Please yell about #SB253 from your social media rooftops!

RE: The Plant-Based Food Coalition Potential via Terry Stanley in ADWEEK

Plant-based meat makers—suffering from sales drops, stepped-up attacks from Big Beef and bruising press—are considering creating a coalition similar to those behind renowned marketing campaigns like “Got Milk?,” “The Incredible Edible Egg” and “Pork, the Other White Meat.”

While the group has not formally gelled, discussions among both small startups and bigger companies have intensified over the last six months. 

I’m quoted in this piece on how all it’d take would be a few leaders to step up and make this important enough so that others in the sector would join along. As you know by now, shifting the food system in a plant-based direction for climate action is one of my climate influence focus areas (reminder: listen to my award-winning Living Change episode with KEXP’s John Richards about his plant-based bar in Seattle and experience his influence. ) I’m convinced this sector could form a coalition with the power of CEBA (the Clean Energy Buyer’s Alliance), if only a few folks commit to that jumpstart work of getting people in a room together. On that note - if anyone reading this is in that world, I’ve got insight on how something like that could be well set up to incubate.

RE: Shifting Institutions To Plant-based Food WORKS via OSF Reprints

There is insufficient empirical evidence to more precisely estimate or optimize the current (or future) impacts of plant-based meat. To rectify this, consider funding: research measuring the effects of plant-based meat sales on displacement of animal-based meat; research comparing the effects of plant-based meats with other interventions to reduce animal-based meat usage; and informed (non-blinded) taste tests to benchmark current plant-based meats and enable measurements of taste improvement over time.

Context, per Katie Cantrell, who is THE leader to follow on this topic: “No other intervention has even come close to 50% displacement of meat. Plant-based meats are a great way to meet diners where they are with familiar and delicious foods, but they don’t create change on their own. One of the most effective ways to make rapid change is to implement plant-based defaults across institutional foodservice. “ The Climate Influence of displacing meat options with plant-based options is 10x, folks. Spread the word, make this happen and watch the #LivingChange scale.

RE: Food and the climate-acting diet change by Anay Mridul of Green Queen

The poll highlights a gap in American public thinking about the impact of their actions on climate change, and proven climate science that says otherwise. For instance, 74% of consumers believe cutting out meat won’t alter their impact on climate change, and 77% feel the same about dairy consumption. This thinking is in line with a Newsweek poll that showed 40% of Americans don’t believe eating less red meat would reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

But all this is in contrast with numerous reports that show that we can avoid 100 gigatons of emissions if three-quarters of people adopt plant-rich diets by 2050, and that veganism can reduce emissions by 75% compared to meat- and dairy-heavy diets.

I see this as a Climate Week and COP 28 call-to-action, folks. How can any corporate or political leader who wants to be on climate leadership stages not find the political will to talk about a move in the plant-based food systems direction?

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I’m psyched to share this episode of The Brainy Business podcast where the insightful host, Melina Palmer, interviewed me about influence through her behavioral economics lens. Listening back to it, I really almost gave a climate influence masterclass, so see this as a resource, friends! Key topics:

• Unearth how to harness your influence (around climate or anything else) as a tool for personal and professional progression.
• Construct a powerful leadership platform that amplifies your influence.
• Explore the narrative magic of storytelling that can pivot climate and consumption behavior.
• Discover your genuine voice to effectively spur behavior modification.
• Amplify your climate advocacy through savvy social media engagement.

And, please amplify and share with your communities, if you think they’d need a nudge to start more boldly using their own influence!

Reminder: If you will be attending Climate Week NYC I still have a few openings left if you’d like to set up a quick advisory call for an energy, enthusiasm and climate influence building strategy boost. Don’t waste your trip! Better use your platforms, your networking time and your leadership presence.

Thanks *so much* for reading/sharing/subscribing. Please comment or message me with questions on building climate influence. I may cover your suggested topics in a future issue. In the meantime, feel free to follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and T2 in the meantime (I also linger on “X”.)