Safety in numbers

9th February 2017


Related Topics

Related tags

  • Mitigation ,
  • Politics & Economics ,
  • England ,
  • EU

Author

Richard Thomas

The profession must speak together in uncertain times.

Last month I wrote that there has never been a greater need for us, as environment and sustainability professionals, to stand up for what we believe. I said this because, with all the political upheaval we are experiencing daily, I feel it is of utmost importance for us to stick together and make our voice heard.

A number of people took the time to get in touch with me after reading my thoughts on this topic, saying that they found it reassuring at a time of great uncertainty. I am delighted that my words struck a chord. But what is more important than my own satisfaction is the united front this small action represents. It got me thinking about why a few words about sticking together chimed with so many members.

We all know collaboration is key; it is a major part of our professional lives and, without it, we would not be able to do our day-to-day work. When environment and sustainability practitioners work collaboratively on a larger scale to tackle the big issues, we become more powerful.

Perhaps there is an emotional reassurance in sticking together in turbulent times like these. Standing united with people who think, work, believe and understand the world the way our profession does feels more than good – it feels right. It is in at least four tiers of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, from the feeling of safety and security right up to self-actualisation.

It is the knowledge that you are standing up, with others, for something meaningful.

I write this on the day it was understood President Donald Trump was intending to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement. If this has happened by the time you read this, the thoughts expressed in this column must turn into action very soon.

Simply, I want to say environment and sustainability professionals have some enormous, almost overwhelming, issues to fight for but we will be heard only if we all speak up together with one voice. So I hope I can count on you to work with IEMA in the year ahead, to contribute to events, policy consultations, polls, articles and projects that turn humble words into something relevant and significant.

It is more than our role; it is our duty.

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

Facing the climate emergency challenge in local government

It’s well recognised that the public sector has the opportunity to work towards a national net-zero landscape that goes well beyond improving on its own performance; it can also influence through procurement and can direct through policy.

19th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) strategy is based on optimistic techno-economic assumptions that are now outdated, Carbon Tracker has warned.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK’s new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements could create 15,000 hectares of woodlands, heath, grasslands, and wetlands and absorb 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s latest Public Attitudes Tracker has found broad support for efforts to tackle climate change, although there are significant concerns that bills will rise.

13th March 2024

Read more

Multinational corporations are undermining their net-zero commitments with excessive air travel and no plans to reduce ‘the low hanging fruit’ of carbon footprints, a study by Transport & Environment has found.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s climate adaptation plans are ‘inadequate’ and falling ‘far short’ of what is required, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned today.

13th March 2024

Read more

Large businesses across the world are avoiding climate action due to fear they will be called out for getting their work wrong, according to a new Carbon Trust report.

29th February 2024

Read more

A thought-provoking discussion on how storytelling can change the world took place in Central London last night, alongside an exclusive sneak preview of an upcoming IEMA film series.

29th February 2024

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close