As we usher in the dawn of a new year, the spheres of our planet beckon for a transformative journey — a journey from sustainability to positive impact, where every action is a step towards a flourishing future.
In the intricate ballet of Earth's realms — the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere — lies the key to our collective well-being. The solid embrace of the lithosphere, the gaseous layers of the atmosphere, the dynamic flow of the hydrosphere, and the convergence of these realms in the biosphere paint a picture of interconnected harmony.
Yet, our journey through time has seen these spheres disrupted, manipulated in the name of progress. Jeremy Rifkin, in "The Age of Resilience," poignantly highlights how efficiency transformed these vital spheres into commodities, triggering consequences that now threaten our planet's equilibrium.
Responding to this challenge, the concept of sustainability emerged — a commitment to meeting present needs without compromising the future. Traditional sustainability emphasizes efficiency, adaptation, and recycling. However, as the IPCC warns, we need more than sustainability in the face of climate change.
Enter the Cradle to Cradle certification program, a paradigm shift proposed by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Rejecting the idea of merely doing "less bad," they advocate for designing sustainability from the ground up. This new perspective birthed a revolutionary concept: "positive impact."
Positive impact, as defined by Sir Ronald Cohen, measures actions' benefits to people and the planet. It's not about reducing harm; it's about designing initiatives, products, and services that actively do good. The shift is from merely lessening a negative footprint to creating a net positive impact on society and the planet.
Consider the Terras Gauda winery, a beacon of positive impact in the wine sector. Confronting climate change challenges affecting grapevines, they went beyond the norm of reducing chemical use. Through the VITALVER project, they transformed winemaking by-products into vermicompost, a natural fertilizer and pesticide. By reusing organic waste, the winery not only reduced harm but actively contributed to soil regeneration, enhancing wine quality.
This transformative journey from doing less harm to creating a positive impact is the essence of a sustainable future. It challenges us to ponder: What positive impact will you make? In a world yearning for regeneration, the power to shape a thriving future lies in our hands.
Author: Marta Juega, PhD
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