There seems little point banging on about biodiversity conservation when we live in such an high intensity consumer world. If we think we can wait for events like COP-10 to solve our issues on their own then we deserve to fry and be the only species left.
The world now lives in cities: water (if you are lucky) comes out of a tap, materials are mined and refined (with lots of heat) into shiny objects and food comes out of the factory, not farm, gates. How is anyone going to care or understand the value of natural capital when the view out of their window not the onset of autumn but a wall, motorway or advertising hoarding? We live in a world where a resident of Manaus is less likely to have visited the Amazon jungle on his doorstep (or be bothered about its existence) than the suburbanite 5130 odd miles away in London’s commuter belt.
Being properly introduced
The tragedy is that the complexity of the value of environmental goods and services means that those that trump reasonable green/ enviro credentials aren’t challenged to improve at a rate or scale that is proportionate the the type of mindset change needed. Add to that science which at best is dull and at worse doom-laden (or unappealing so not listened to) and you can see why we are going backwards.
As a result, less well off megacity residents will bear the brunt of environmental goods and services loss first - think water shortages, pollution, extreme temperatures, and more. All making their ability to prosper that much harder.
Companies and governments need to look beyond environmental target setting and into finding better ways to properly introduce customers and citizens to nature. The benefits to all sides fit into ideas around health, use of public space, civility, interactivity and social strengthening.
A better introduction will help build a relationship/friendship with environmental goods and services that will be needed as natural capital gets squeezed.
Depressed, stressed and self-obsessed
Nature and reimagining public space can help get us out of our two-speed work/consume lifestyle that compels people to seek gratification from such a limited list of sources. The built environment should no longer be solely in the hands of developers (such a nice bunch), but be the responsibility of all companies and organisations that have a physical footprint. We need to be formally introduced to nature if we are ever going to give it the props it deserves. This means transforming striplit retail boxes, drab parking lots, and antenna laden roofs into jungles, gardens, and meadows.
When you start to look around at how grim and lifeless cities are, its no wonder we are all depressed, stressed and self-obsessed. Bringing the natural world into such bleak surroundings can lift peoples emotions and get the juices flowing. They may even reward you with a bit of engagement…
As with resetting retail, this is all about improving the experience of living in a city. It’s about more than getting a green roof to save on heating bills. We should be digging up pavements and planting trees, taking responsibility away from developers and using the natural world to improve relationships and enhance experiences. And when we all get to see how cool the natural world is, we might actually give a sh1t about it.
Reclaiming ‘urban jungle’
After getting properly introduced we can get to know each other a bit better. Before we know it we will be BFFs. That’s when we will realise that its not normal to tarmac over rivers or use them as convenient open sewers. Meaningless environmental reduction targets have long had their day. Waiting for an edict from an intergovernmental or national body doesn’t exactly mark you out as an inspirational business leader. Become a pioneer and be part of a movement that reclaims the ‘urban jungle’.
Thanks for reading. Do connect with me on twitter to chat more about this or give it a mention if you feel so inclined.
Some more stuff on this
Branding biodiversity - We need to heart nature from Futerra
Prime numbers megacities – Foreign Policy gets geopolitical w/urban spaces
MMB architects - amazing project to reinvigorate an old river in Paraisopolis, Sao Paulo
This is not normal (Isso não é normal) – collective in Brazil exploring urban issues w/ panache
Related posts
Resetting retail (saving our cities) – adding creativity to squalid high streets
Buy less, get more: sustainable consumption goes social – ownership is for losers
This is not normal (nor is Bhutan) – why so much concrete?
Sweat the small stuff: No more generic sustainability branding
