Greetings!
This is a time to hold on, stay calm, surrounded by people, places and things that energize and support us.
And it is a time to let go of what’s not working, of what’s hampering our ability to thrive, as people, communities and living systems.
The old ways may be kicking up a fuss, but the new ways are also emerging. Hospice/midwife; compost/regrow – whatever your metaphor, very little of this is optional. What is optional is what we choose to hold on to, and what we let go of.
Big Bank, meet Reality. Reality, Big Bank.
I’ve been holding on to the skills I gained in the sustainability field, such as how to understand a company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures. And I’ve been holding onto the belief that there is a future economy that serves life, versus the current one that harms and undermines the very life that sustains us.
I’ve been letting go of the idea that the current approach to ESG strategy and reporting is creating more sustainable companies. I’ve been letting go of my role in traditional sustainability and ESG consulting work.
To that end (or beginning...), I recently released the second Matereality assessment, this one looking at one of North America’s largest banks, TD Bank. Materiality asks, “How does the company contribute to – or undermine – the future we want?” The brief answer is, unless TD changes fundamentals of its business model, it will accelerate mass extinction and social inequality. It needs to transform, like much of the financial services industry, to contribute to healing.
Next up for Matereality, Big Food and Big Mining. Stay tuned!
Medium Mischief
I published an article on Medium the other day that created more of a stir than usual: “Why I Wish I’d Followed My Instincts As a Climate Denier”. The feedback was resoundingly: Yes, this. (I was actually kind of hoping for pushback – I desperately want to be wrong on this stuff.)
I figured I’d better offer more than a description of the problem from within the belly of the beast (or maybe more like, the duodenum of the beast, as I let go and see myself out...) so I penned a follow-up, “Three ways you can stop corporate climate insanity”.
My broad point is that, yes, climate change is very serious – existentially so for everyone of us (the human and non-human “us”), and therefore every industry. And there is a lot we can do now – challenging but doable things. The ensuing comments and discussion have been encouraging – people are seeing and sharing new paths.
Medium Shorts: Looking Over My Shoulder
When people ask about my own business model, I like to say, “I meet self-generated deadlines for imaginary clients…” My main client is an amorphous mash-up of the St. Lawrence River and all interconnected waterways, the Future, and You. Given the lack of a more clear job description, I have built greater structure into my days so I don’t spin all the way out into madness (maybe just part way).
One such structure is my Medium Shorts, which I publish every Friday. They’re short (hence the name). This is my version of an accountability practice, to stay semi-tethered as I feel my way along the unmarked trail of industrial healing.
Here is a recent one, in which my landlady poisons my compost worms, I work on TD Matereality in the public square, I recant on my denial of climate denial, I explain what I do for a living, and I spin a little yarn (with my cat, Joni). In case you feel like peeking over my shoulder, c’mon by! You can also sign up to receive notice when I post something new on Medium if you like – here.
Podcasts & Speaking
I love public speaking and being a podcast guest. I usually share my presentations here in case they spark any useful nudges beyond the initial audience. Sometimes I charge a fee, sometimes I contribute my time gratis (my general rule of thumb is: no more pro bono work for billionaires). If you know anyone who might be looking for a guest presenter, net worth notwithstanding, feel free to send them my way.
Thank You!
Thank you for opening this message, for reading this far, for walking alongside via these newsletters, my Medium page, Matereality, the Twittersphere, or just a bit of cosmic vibration. And an extra tip of the hat to those of you who have found the little door on my site and contributed financially to my work. You – River-Future-You – are what keep me holding on, even as you help me let go.
Yours in connectedness,
Lorraine
