Save the Planet – put more women in charge!

“The day has finally come – a critical landmark in the saga of global climate change has just occurred, and hardly anyone has noticed. The Carteret Islanders of Papua New Guinea have become the world’s first entire community to be displaced by climate change. They’re the first official refugees of global warming and they’re packing up their lives to move out of the way of ever-rising waters that threaten to overtake their homes and crops. The island they call home will be completely underwater by 2015.” So writes Brian Merchant in response to the story that first broke a few years ago, suggesting that these islanders could be the first who’d be forced out of their homes.   

Ironically, even though the evacuation has taken place, the story passed with barely a murmur in the press. While only about 2,000 people have been affected, the loss of their homes and way of life is still a tragic occurrence.  “And this is certain to be merely the first such community to be forced into such action—with sea levels continuing their steady rise, and a distinct lack of meaningful action from governments of rich, polluting nations, more helpless communities are sure to be displaced.”

How does climate change link in with gender balance?

An overview of any social or business approach in the world today can be defined by the 4 Ps  – People, Planet, Profits and Purpose (purpose is a newly added ‘P’ – typical of a 21st century change of approach).  Throughout the world, if we look at the main thrust of business to-date, it is clear that profits to shareholders have overwhelmingly taken preference over the other 3 Ps.  There’s much lip-service on every company website about community service initiatives, but there is also enough evidence to show that many corporations put aside their scruples to deliver these profits.  As Plan B writes: “We read about short cuts that lead to oil spills, overworked and overtired employees that cost societies trillions of dollars in fatigue related accidents, cheap toys that cause sickness in children, poorly built schools that collapse, greed in the executive suites – on and on and on.”

Traditionally, corporations have always been headed by men – even in 2014, 95% of CEOs are male, along with 85% of directors.  The strong emphasis on profits before people and the planet is a cornerstone of the alpha-male construct that has driven business.  Consequently, corporate greed and the lack of concern for the environment in the pursuit of profits have led to the present parlous state of our planet.  When a leading country like the US will not ratify the Kyoko Protocol (Canada did but then withdrew) for fear of the damage it might do to the country’s economy, we can see that priorities are completely out of line.