Donaldson’s Post

Europe. Your Hope. In times of societal and political division on sustainability the EU is somehow still able to write effective sustainability regulation, helping us build a livable future. The EU Taxonomy, the CSRD, expansion of the EU ETS, the CBAM, and now most recently the Nature Restoration Law are key vehicles that are helping us stay the course, when national governments are unable to or preoccupied with internal issues. As of late I have been carefully optimistic about our chances of overcoming sustainability problems, despite our current political climate. Much of my optimism is due to the increased visibility of and attention for sustainability issues in society, but mostly because of the speed at which the energy transition is unfolding: Over 50% of Dutch electricity was green in 2023, compared to 33% in 2021, and 10% in 2014. Both the total annual emissions of the Netherlands has been dropping steeply as have the per capita emissions, which is also the case in Germany in France. After decarbonizing current electricity demand, challenges remain such as decarbonizing transport and food production. Obviously there is a long way to go, but signs are here that it's possible. So with this beautiful spring weather I want to take a moment to thank our Europapa for keeping us on course and thank Joost Klein for bringing Europeans just a little bit closer together. I hope we will someday all be equally grateful for the opportunities and guidance the European Union gives us. Sources: - https://lnkd.in/eRJUX29P - https://lnkd.in/eZbMUYJp - https://lnkd.in/e2dZRyda - https://lnkd.in/ejFJVsZF - https://lnkd.in/exhZEiYY

Dod yn wyrddach gyda'n gilydd - Getting greener together I attended this Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd Innovation event (entitled as above) earlier this week. It was described as being an opportunity for Policy Makers, Academics and Industry to discuss achieving Net Zero. Sadly, very little time was left for questions ........ but I did manage to ask this one? ''Panel - it was stated earlier by one of the speakers that (and I quote): ''We all have to change!''  Let me offer these four statements, and then my Question: 1.     Based on an analysis of fossil fuel policies by ‘Which?’ and Reclaim Finance (a non-profit research organisation) six banks are classified in the “red” category for supporting fossil fuels, namely: JPMorgan Chase, Santander, Barclays, HSBC, NatWest (includes RBS) and Lloyds (includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland). Yes, the corporate finance world. 2.     Analysis published by the International Monetary Fund in October 2021 had estimated that the global production and burning of coal, oil and gas was subsidised by US$5.9 trillion in 2020." (https://lnkd.in/dY9Qr_uh) ……yes, that’s nearly 6 trillion dollars. 3.     The awarding of 23 new licences for oil and gas exploration in the UK North Sea by the UK government is grossly irresponsible and will neither reduce energy bills nor make us more energy secure says Bob Ward, Grantham Research Institute. Institute calls the awarding of 24 new licences for exploration for oil and gas in the UK North Sea 'grossly irresponsible' - Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment (lse.ac.uk) 4.     Just recently (29th January 2024), I attended an event in Porthcawl themed: ‘‘Sleepwalking Into Climate Change?’’ Launch Event for Sleepwalking into Climate Change — Sustainable Wales (squarespace.com) . The young people (yes, Future Generations) I talked to expressed: anxiety, frustration & impotence to do anything in the face of ‘business as usual’ as the world (including the Corporate and Governance Worlds etc) sleepwalks to the cliff edge. Therefore, WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER OR RESPONSE TO THOSE PEOPLE (including the young people in Porthcawl et al) WHO WANT CHANGE AT PACE AND SCALE (in the face of the apparent insouciance and BAU actions manifested in my first 3 statements)?? A corporate London lawyer from EY who was on the panel answered by saying that she had seen a lot of change in the last 12 months and that we are in transition. Well, there you have it! Everything is 'tickety boo' then. 😲 https://lnkd.in/dAMvbSGb Sustainable Wales - YouTube https://lnkd.in/d4UMM33h

🌍✨ After Hours and Sustainability: A Reflection on Global Development 🎵🍃 The song After Hours by The Weeknd, with its melancholic and somber lyrics, offers a powerful metaphor for the challenges of global development and the urgent need to adopt sustainability strategies. Let's explore this connection and reflect on our role in building a more sustainable future. 🌱🌟 🎶 Analyzing the Lyrics: 📍 Where are you now when I need you most? This line is a call to the global community about our collective responsibility for the planet's future. In the face of climate and social crises, nations and individuals need to unite to create a sustainable future. 🌍🤝 📍 My darkest hours. Never facing the facts. Here, we see the denial of the realities of climate change and its devastating impacts. Ignoring these issues only exacerbates the situation, making the search for solutions more difficult. 🌪️🌀 📍 Oh, love. Oh, baby. I know it's all my fault. A recognition of human responsibility in environmental degradation. Activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation are the primary causes of global warming and biodiversity loss. 🌲🔥 📍 Without my love. Represents the loss of nature and the essential natural resources for life. Without a healthy planet, our survival is at risk. 💔🌾 ♻️ Relation to Sustainability: The lyrics of After Hours invite us to reflect on the need to change our habits and behaviors to ensure a sustainable future. Strategies like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management are crucial to addressing global development challenges. 🌞🌿 🔍 Final Thoughts: After Hours serves as a reminder that time is running out for us to act in favor of sustainability. We must unite our efforts to build a better future for our planet and all forms of life. 🕰️💚 #Sustainability #GlobalDevelopment #TheWeeknd #AfterHours #ClimateChange #RenewableEnergy #SustainableAgriculture #WasteManagement #SustainableFuture https://lnkd.in/d3_feGZy

Sustainability in action...

One of the steps we can take to conserve our environment (including the ocean) is to manage the production and consumption of plastics.  There has been much work done to address plastic pollution, but in my opinion, the Plastic Treaty, a legally binding global accord for which negotiations are already taking place, would be a significant step in the right direction if it is ratified. Three negotiation sessions have already taken place thus far. Magnus and Anja Krieger talk about this Plastic Treaty with much clarity in this podcast: https://lnkd.in/d7uP7MzM If you have an interest in plastic pollution, check out this podcast. What is your take on the Plastic Treaty?

🎶 We're thrilled to announce exciting partnership opportunities for the upcoming Music Sustainability Summit! 🎶 Music plays an integral role in shaping our cultural landscape, and as the industry continues to evolve, it's imperative that we prioritize sustainability. We're on a mission to foster a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible music industry, and we believe that collaboration is the key to making a meaningful impact. The Music Sustainability Summit is an unparalleled platform bringing together industry leaders, artists, environmentalists, and innovators to discuss and drive actionable solutions for a more sustainable future. From reducing the carbon footprint of tours and festivals to promoting eco-friendly production practices, we'll be exploring a wide range of topics crucial to the future of music and the planet. We're excited to invite forward-thinking organizations, businesses, and individuals to join us in this endeavor. By becoming a partner, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your commitment to sustainability, gain valuable exposure to a global audience, and actively contribute to building a more sustainable music ecosystem. Partnering with us means being at the forefront of an industry-wide movement, driving positive change, and setting new standards for sustainability in the world of music. If your organization is passionate about sustainability and keen to make a tangible difference within the music industry, we would love to explore partnership opportunities with you. Together, let's create a harmonious and sustainable future for music and the world. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how you can be a part of the Music Sustainability Summit. Let's make music not just for today, but for generations to come. to secure your spot email events@thehazeorganization.co 🌍🎵 #MusicSustainabilitySummit #SustainableMusic #PartnershipOpportunities #MusicIndustry #SustainabilityInMusic #Collaboration #EnvironmentalResponsibility #MusicInnovation #DecarbonizeMusic #MusicBusiness

#ECHR #HumanRights #RightToSafety ☺ Would anyone be willing to lend a hand? ☺ I'm seeking ~'final observations' due to a 'specific behavioral pattern' in the context of the subject matter highlighted, e.g., in the linked article regarding 《people's right to safety》, from a certain and pretty specific standpoint. The research study focuses on the《right to safety as a Human Right》, which appears to be more likely linked to "security", as introduced in Article 5 of the European Convention of Human Rights (as well as a parallel link to the right to live in a clean, safe, sustainable, and healthy environment, as recognized by the UN and the CoE, among other existing possibilities). 🤔 [For example, there should rather not be accepted a risk of being exposed to (foreseen) unnecessary unhealthy and/or other risky conditions caused by other recognized means, including the potential risk of being affected by so-called ~'significant financial imbalances or disruptions' within the specific region that may occur in the (nearest) future as a result of some decisions or actions made, for illustration, by the PA] During this enduring analysis, I haven't yet identified an ECHR case that would cover such an 'unique' set of elements (I wonder whether one explanation already exists, ...nor is there a single one case in regard to such constraints as of now, nor is ultimately Article 5 somehow the appropriate ground for the given instance (?). As it stands, I rather wonder if Article 5 most likely must (or might somehow bearly not) suit the purpose, and alternatively, if ~'somehow not', which of the other articles of the Convention should be primarily considered instead to address the 'human security concerns', which are more or less open to being dubbed "human safe well-being".(?) << There is general agreement on ➡️the urgent need to control morbidity and mortality, especially because ✔injuries are ranked as one of the highest causes of years of life lost in most countries around the world.[10] Proponents of the ➡️right to safety, however, differ on the priorities for action: the relative role that organizational structures and powerful elites play in ➡️producing hazardous systems; the effectiveness of approaches that give priority to technological fixes over behavioral change; ➡️the relative roles of ✔interventions by the state and government and by civil society organizations; and the need for creating regulations, setting standards, and ➡️ensuring police enforcement. It is very difficult to resolve these issues in the ➡️absence of a basic ethic that gives a strong underpinning to the debate. Current efforts to reach consensus on a document that spells out the ➡️rights of people ✔to live lives safe from ✔harmful injury are expected to help reduce the differences in ideologies and ➡️priority setting. >> [Mohan, People's Right to Safety, https://lnkd.in/d29jBsb7] 🤔 _____ PS kiquebg https://lnkd.in/dsVw3ZmJ

I mastered the song "Carbon Exit" by Veronica+ https://lnkd.in/dfXzYuBi Based at United Kingdom, the music presented here pushes the boundaries of experimental. Its also accompanied by a mysterious and intriguing video. Mastering this piece was captivating, not only because I enjoy experimental music but also because the sound has a challenging side. In the more pop or commercial genres, the instruments are much more defined, being easier to recognize, process, and compare with other references. But in an experimental genre, nothing is obvious, its a discovery listening! Which requires me to be much more objective when mastering while, at the same time, analyze every new element that comes up. All to make sure the piece sounds balanced and dynamical enough to fit any possible scenario, either in a multi-genre playlist or as a score for a video. #music #mastering #audio #audioproduction #masteringengineer #master #experimentalmusic

Eddie The Penguin: A Champion for Environmental Conservation We believe SERTs green credentials stack up (CEO car notwithstanding) and as such do our best to promote strong messages, but today's visit local primary school suggests the next generation are 'on message'. I recently had the pleasure of attending my daughter's performance of "Eddie the Penguin Saves the World," and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. This musical not only entertained the audience with its catchy tunes and heartwarming story but also delivered a powerful message about the importance of environmental conservation. The play revolves around Eddie, a penguin who becomes aware of the drastic changes in his environment, particularly the melting ice. Fueled by concern for his family and their habitat, Eddie embarks on a journey to find a new home, all the while promoting eco-friendly practices such as recycling, saving water, and energy conservation. One of the most striking aspects of the musical is its ability to effectively communicate complex environmental issues to young audiences. Through engaging songs like "The Recycling Song," the play drives home the importance of responsible environmental behavior in a way that is both educational and entertaining. The significance of the melting ice in "Eddie the Penguin Saves the World" cannot be overstated. It serves as a poignant representation of the impact of climate change on the natural world, particularly the penguins' habitat. By placing this issue at the heart of the story, the play effectively raises awareness about the urgent need to address climate change and its far-reaching consequences. In a world where environmental conservation is an increasingly pressing concern, "Eddie the Penguin Saves the World" stands out as a valuable resource for inspiring eco-friendly behaviors in both children and adults. Its ability to blend entertainment with a powerful message makes it a truly impactful tool for fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.#SavingTheWorld #EnvironmentalConservation #EddieThePenguin 🐧🐧🐧🌍🌎🌏❄️❤️💚 #hiringnow #talentpool

Plastic wastes have been a major threat to the environment, being a major contributor to constant flooding during rainfall. The indiscriminate dumping of single-use plastics has brought about high-level unsightly look to the surroundings. Also, serious pollution and blockage of drainages and waterways. Single-use plastics including plastic bags, cups, cutlery, plates and Styrofoam have been the major culprits in the environmental damages that Lagos State is faced with. Effectively managing plastic wastes has been a serious challenge to the Government of Lagos state for several years. The news to ban all single-use plastics with immediate effect, came as a shock to the public on the 21st of January 2024. It was definitely about time that happened with the extent of menace the careless and unethical disposal of these plastic wastes has caused. This move has met with mixed reactions: in support and against the ban. The clear argument being raised against the abrupt move by the government to ban plastics, is that perhaps they should have actually made room for series of debates and talks with the public before the drastic action to ban. Watch for more interesting details: https://lnkd.in/dnGfhFyP Fingers crossed; we hope the desired results would emerge from the recent ban! #styrofoam#naturebasedsolution #foodpackaging #sustainablesolutions #LagosWasteCrisis #EnvironmentalHealth #PlasticPollution