Climate Collapse: What Associations Need to Know

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report laid out our current global situation in stark relief and as United Nations General-Secretary António Guterres declared it is "Code Red" for humanity.

Guests: Rupert Read is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, a campaigner for the Green Party of England and Wales, former spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and co-founder of the Green Activists Network, GreensCAN. Shelly Alcorn is a Principal in Alcorn Associates Management Consulting and specializes in strategy and governance for the association community.

[00:00] Introduction
[00:01] The host discusses the urgency of climate change and the importance for associations to take action.
- A global climate poll revealed that two-thirds of people worldwide consider climate change a global emergency.
- The intergovernmental panel for climate change issued a code red for humanity, stating that human-induced climate change is already affecting weather and climate extremes globally.
- The American Society of Association Executives report highlights the significant influence of associations, with over 66,985 recognized trade and professional associations employing more than 1.3 million people.

[08:05] The speaker discusses the urgent climate and ecological emergency that is not being recognized as such by governments, businesses, media, and most people.
- The lack of recognition of the emergency doubles its severity.
- The goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is unlikely to be achieved, and we are on a path towards 2-3 degrees Celsius increase.

[16:11] The need for both mitigation and adaptation to address climate change consequences.
- Overfishing is a serious problem that affects climate by stopping carbon sequestration at the ocean bed.
- Catastrophic floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events are examples of the consequences of climate change.
- Building resilience, reducing vulnerability, and preparing for predictable and unpredictable shocks are key aspects of adaptation.
- Long-term and immediate actions are necessary to ensure greater safety and address the climate crisis.

[24:16] Deep adaptation is about strengthening resilience and preparing for the possibility of societal collapse, alongside transformative adaptation.
- Full spectrum response to climate collapse includes hard infrastructure improvements and transforming our relationship with each other and the planet.
- Attention should be given to extreme possibilities and preparing for the worst-case scenarios.
- Militaries are taking the breakdown of resources seriously and preparing for potential fights over resources.

[32:23] The speaker emphasizes the need to address food shortages, loss of access to clean water, and the significant number of climate-related deaths, while highlighting the alarming decline in biodiversity.
- Climate-related events are causing the loss of 5 million people annually worldwide.
- Biodiversity loss includes an 83% decline in wild mammals, a 50% loss of plant species, and a 45% decline in insects within the last 40 years.
- There is a concern that we are three meals away from a revolution, so it is crucial to take these issues seriously.

[40:30] The importance of being prepared for exponential risks, even if they seem unlikely, cannot be overstated.
- Precautionaryness requires us to prepare for low-risk exponential risks.
- Businesses, associations, and states should assess their supply chain, workforce, and constraints to identify potential impacts.
- The COVID-19 pandemic serves as an example of the need for preparation, as warnings were given but not heeded.
- The climate and biodiversity crises are much larger threats than COVID-19.

[48:39] Associations need to prioritize climate change and represent all members, regardless of political leanings.
- Lobbyists and regulatory efforts should be dedicated to addressing climate change.
- Conservative organizations can also prioritize conservation and regenerative practices.
- Associations should analyze their members' businesses and develop consulting programs to help them transition to more climate-friendly practices.
- Sustainability is not enough; associations should focus on regeneration and moving away from unsustainable practices.

[56:41] Associations need to focus on voting with their economic dollar, investing in mental health resources for members, and being authentic about struggles and grief.
- Associations should use their economic power to support solutions.
- They should invest in mental health resources for their members.
- Being authentic about struggles and grief can help build support.
- Associations need to dedicate themselves to radical reinvention.

Recorded November 23, 2021 at 7:00 am PT/10:00 am ET.