As you may have noticed, the world is currently on fire. And we’re not just talking about the sea in the Gulf of Mexico. Soaring summer temperatures are causing us to sweat in the Northern Hemisphere while New Zealand is experiencing its hottest winter on record. Wildfires are ripping through the West Coast of the US, Turkey and Greece, while the Amazon is burning at such a rate that it’s releasing more CO2 than it absorbs.
We’re now seeing and feeling the signs of a changing climate all around us. This uncomfortable reality check is helping to create some urgency around reducing emissions and keeping global temperatures below the 1.5 degrees threshold. But it’s also a reminder that as we race to reduce our footprint, we also need to be adapting to life on our changing planet.
That’s where resilience comes in. Yes, we need to be cutting our emissions at breakneck speed, but we should also consider how we can help support and strengthen the communities and ecosystems around us so that they can survive these changes.
What is resilience?
Resilience literally means ‘to bounce back’. In the context of climate change, it’s used to talk about measures that manage and mitigate the negative effects of global heating, helping communities prepare for and recover from adverse events. It’s a relative term that implies that things ‘bounce back’ to the way things were before, however we’re now learning that we’re going to have to adapt to a new normal and that things will never be the same again.
Our climate is becoming more unpredictable. As hurricanes, wildfires and natural disasters become more prevalent across the world, organisations, cities and countries are looking at how they build resilience into their planning to prevent the worst from happening. From building to sea walls and flood infrastructure to creating greener, shadier cities, all kinds of innovative projects are picking up pace.
But resilience isn’t just about protecting our communities. It can also be applied to our natural ecosystems. As leaders start building infrastructure to prepare for droughts, fires and rising sea levels, how can we focus on ways of strengthening our natural world to give it a fighting chance against the upcoming changes?
Regeneration builds resilience
Regeneration is central to building the resilience of the natural world around us, boosting the Earth’s immune system so that it’s in good health and ready to fight. Handprint is working with a variety of organisations that focus on regenerative approaches:
- Mangrove forests are not only one of the most effective carbon sinks, but also valuable flood prevention systems. The aerial roots of mangroves hold onto sediment and prevent erosion, while the trees also reduce the force of oncoming waves and storm surges. We are partnering with organisations that protect and plant mangroves, helping people in low-lying countries mitigate the potential impact of adverse weather conditions.
- Shifting rainfall patterns, flooding and droughts are also significantly influencing water security. Ensuring communities have access to drinking water is going to become more and more important. Handprint is working with organisations that provide water filters to those displaced by war and drought, providing them with the tools to secure their own clean water in the future.
Luckily, Handprint makes investing in regenerative projects easy. We allow you to choose your preferred way of changing the world and seamlessly integrate it into your business. From removing CO2 by planting trees to diverting plastic from the ocean, your actions will help strengthen ecosystems and help nature recover.
To find out more about how you can integrate Handprint into your customer journey, schedule a chat with one of our team here.
