President’s Message for 2022
Is it possible that we are simply running out of words to define and describe the state of the world?
Like many this past holiday season, I watched a few movies. OK, more than a few! I confess that the one that struck me to my very core was “Don’t Look Up,” by director Adam McKay. Described as a ‘satirical, black comedy,’ it is frighteningly familiar and fantastically real. We are living in an altered world, one of our own design and making. For those of us who have watched the movie, what’s to stop it from happening? And for those who haven’t (yet) watched it, Spoiler Alert: it’s as if every dystopian storyline from every media outlet was crammed into 2 hours and 18 minutes of screen time, as an allegory for climate change
Why am I rambling on about this movie? Because it hits (too) close to home. COP26 hit close to home but it will take weeks if not months to dissect and disseminate the findings. Or you could simply watch David Attenborough’s remarkable address to the world leaders to better understand the gravitas, the sense of urgency, the sense of HOPE.
As a 21-year Toastmaster, I’ve listened to many World Championship speeches. To compete and win the speaker must deliver a speech no longer than 7 minutes, 30 seconds. One second more and they are disqualified.
Sir David Attenborough delivered a ‘World-Class” speech in 7 minutes and 25 seconds – with a chilling question: “…is this how our story is due to end? A tale of the smartest species doomed by that all too human characteristic of failing to see the bigger picture in pursuit of short-term goals?”
Spoiler Alert: this is the exact storyline of ‘Don’t Look Up’.
Now, you didn’t think I’d leave it there, did you?
We aren’t done yet. “We should, as Sir Attenborough said, use this opportunity to create a more equal world and our motivation should not be fear but HOPE.”
Every action begins with you. And me.
Take the first step.
Stay engaged. Stay connected. Stay HOPEFUL.