Keep this in mind.

In these days of momentous global events and even more harsh environmental predictions, we might all be forgiven for thinking there are just so many insurmountable barriers. If even a portion of the climate change predictions are true then for sure we have such a vast task ahead of us.

Therefore in the face of such dire predictions against which whole nations are struggling, what can the individual do to make a difference? What’s the point of doing anything if the impact would be so low?

We can all only do a little.

Indeed, the environmental task ahead of us is great. Climate change is about to impact the entire world. This may well be one of the greatest series of difficulties ever to face mankind. The changes arguably about to take place throughout the world will affect all countries, all organisations, all people. No one will be immune from the effects and the consequences. The scale of the changes about to take place will mean it is not simply someone else’s problem across the other side of the world.

Where there is change there will always be uncertainty. Where there is uncontrolled and massive change there will be upheaval. And as pollutants continue to increase in the atmosphere, the intensity of this upheaval increases as the environment attempts to rebalance. The consequences will be immense. This won’t just happen to someone else. The key is to decrease the flow of pollutants into the atmosphere. The key is for countries, for companies, for individuals to work together to decrease the environmental impact of their activities.

And so … as we approach this time of fundamental environmental change, the worlds governments have woken up to the fact that the possible solution isn’t the sole responsibility of one region or one group of people. It is the responsibility of all governments. It is the responsibility of all people. It is up to everyone who can only do a little, to do what they can.

Why is this important?

It is important because by doing that little bit, we can learn to combine all the small pieces into something greater – something irresistible, something that has a major beneficial impact. Why? Because we are all in this together. It isn’t someone else’s problem. We are all in the same world.

Think of the surface of an ocean on which a multitude of ripples compete and crash into one another. Through our activities we are all ripples on the surface of the ocean. We – the makers, the forgers, the dredgers, the shapers of our society. We create those ripples.

A single ripple struggles to make any headway against the movement of all others.

And so … think what happens when the ripples start to combine, start to focus their activities, start to move. The ripples become a wave – a wave of its own making, joined in by countless other ripples all wanting to make an impact, all wanting to create a better future. And when this wave has enough voice, has enough energy and direction, it will be large enough to wash over any previously insurmountable barrier – for we, the makers, the forgers, the dredgers, the shapers of our society to make such an impact that the world will notice and inspire others to do likewise.

Who says we can’t change the world? The world is full of opportunity. This is our window.

All over the world governments are creating legislation to cut carbon emissions in the hope of reducing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and reducing the impact of climate change. Governments, as always, can only do so much. The remainder of the responsibility is with business and other organisations, as well as with each and every individual.

We are all in the same world.

This responsibility needs to be realised. It needs to be focused. It needs to be effective. This is the type of responsibility that indeed changes the world – an environmental responsibility to halt what is likely to be the extreme effects of climate change. It is our responsibility. Together we can make a difference.

By working together we will be stronger. We will make a greater impact … for the benefit of everyone. This will be a focusing of all our energies, all our activities, all our hopes for a better future … for the benefit of everyone.

Who says we can’t change the world? We can and we will.

And as we know most of you who are reading this take your individual responsibility seriously, we know we will be working with some to create global environmental strategies. As part of the global process about to take place we will need your passion and commitment as the basis of these responsible environmental strategies. We will certainly need your input. And why not? These are your organisations. This is your livelihood. The wider society outside is your society. The wider world outside is your world. We are all in the same world.

What we do now – each of us – will have an impact on that wider world as well as the survivability of our organisations - and their profitability.

The world is full of opportunity. This is our opportunity to rise to the obvious challenges of those insurmountable barriers, to rise as a single wave of energy and activity and … and change what some say cannot be changed.

Together we will make a difference.

If we don’t do it, who will? The future depends on what we do. Do we sit idly by and shake our heads at what are likely to be the disastrous consequences of climate change? Or do we – at this moment – make a stand and join together to create the world we want to have?

As always it is your choice. But I know what I choose to do. We who choose to make a stand need your support. We stand together. The future demands a sense of responsibility – today. This is the moment we start to make a sustainable difference.

Work with us to make this a reality. We can show how your business can take the lead.