Humans are notorious for destroying the environment in more ways than one could imagine. We have destroyed the environment that we live in. We are destroying nature at an unprecedented rate, threatening the survival of a million species – and our own future, too. The use of plastic has ruined the environment. Did you know that almost every piece of plastic that we have ever used is still out there? It is horrifying when we think about it. Be it over-consumption, overpopulation, over-exploitation, deforestation or pollution, each of us has a contribution of destroying the environment in some way or the other. If we want to create a change, then we must start by preserving the environment.

We humans are extremely lucky to be alive on this planet we call Earth. We toil over the land in exchange for provisions with which we can survive. Even though we have all we need from this abundant country, we yet feel compelled to change it. As a result, we end up destroying the land on which we live. We modify the universe to suit our own demands, but the globe just does not operate that way. Everything on our earth has a role, from the greatest animal to the tiniest microbe, and living in peace is impossible without it. The more important question, therefore, is what we can do. There are, I think, two answers – and neither will succeed without the other.  The first is that we need to reset our relationship with nature by valuing it as the indispensable resource that it is. Rather than destroying our natural world, we need to apply “nature-based solutions” to our greatest challenges and create more robust resilience to systemic shocks in the future. Examples include the restoration of forests, wetlands, and peatlands in our countryside to help regulate water supply and protect communities from floods and landslides. Other approaches include protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems such as reefs and salt marshes, which guard coasts from storm surges and erosion. For centuries, we have encroached on natural habitats, but through collective action we can help turn back that tide.  If we are to resolve the climate crisis, reduce inequality, maintain the wealth of nations and feed a growing global population, we must protect, restore, and sustainably manage nature. It is no longer enough for businesses to be “less bad,” or even “not bad.” We need to be good. We need to actively reverse the damage we have done. 

We've seen what happens when we make nature our adversary. If we instead make it our ally, assisting us in helping ourselves and thereby creating healthy communities, resilient economies, and successful enterprises, we will have learned the most important lesson from this horrible era. As a consequence, the globe will be not just safer, healthier, and more egalitarian, but also wealthier.