Green Leadership: the driving force for climate action
Leaders are the drivers of change; both positive and negative. We need an urgent positive mindset shift in all sectors to thrive during this climate crisis. Climate change is happening faster than our ability to reach conclusions and take action. We have to prepare our current leaders and future leaders for the challenges posed by the unprecedented change in the climate. The leaders require the ability to comprehend the urgency of the planetary crisis and lead initiatives to accelerate climate actions.
The challenges posed by climate change require different traits in a leader. A leader is generally a visionary driver toward a goal. However, the climate crisis demands a leadership style that demonstrates care for people and the planet at the core. Climate change affects every avenue of our lives starting from education, healthcare, food systems, housing, and mobility. Our lifestyle and fast-paced civilization have caused damage to our environment and now it’s time to rethink how we do ‘everything.’
I believe green leadership is the way to advance humanity through the climate crisis and sustain our progress on earth. The climate crisis demands every leader to be a green leader. We need to mobilize green leaders in all sectors, especially the sectors most affected by climate change. As the term suggests, the green leader is a leader with “green” as a core value. The term green refers to the way of looking at the world through an environmental lens. Our existence depends on this planet, and the earth’s environment determines our well-being.
Numerous leadership traits are necessary for a leader to be a great one, but to become a green leader, one requires three values at the core.
Firstly, the leader should genuinely care about the people and the planet. It may be developed from firsthand experience of the effects of climate change or by experiencing the adverse impact on the frontline. To be a green leader, the leader must be able to empathize with the situation and have an internal drive for change.
Secondly, the leader must be courageous to acknowledge the environmental concerns and identify the factors contributing to them. Our profit-at-any-cost-driven mindset poses a shadow on sustainability, and a leader needs to be courageous to voice the concern and provide the right direction.
Thirdly, climate change poses different challenges in different locations. There is no one solution for all. The leader must be adaptive and open to ideas from the community. Adaptability is the key to finding a suitable solution for specific climate-induced challenges.
Green Lead came into being as a gradual development of my consciousness. I realized we need a different leadership approach and require a systematic change to deal with the climate-induced challenges. I started building the organization to bring systematic change for climate action through green leadership. I believe leaders come in different forms and can play a critical role during a cyclone in a coastal village to the boardroom of a company
We have current leaders in positions with responsibility. The ones who are leading countries, companies, and communities should be enlightened on the importance of climate action. On the other hand, the youth who are the future leaders must be prepared for the upcoming reality of climate-induced challenges and advocate for the actions.
At Green Lead, we are focusing on the youth first and aiming to transform them into green leaders. Our approach is based on three principles: climate education, engagement, and empowerment. Through our efforts, we want to help youth answer one single question, “How can you contribute to tackling climate change?” and align their purpose in life towards creating a green and peaceful world.
The present leaders are responsible for understanding the gravity of the impact of climate change. Moreover, they should approach the challenge with urgency and implement policies to accelerate climate action. We should advocate for the urgent need for action and instill the idea of “green leadership” into the leaders. They sit at the forefront of decisions and are required to be inspired to think and act with accountability.
We know it is easier said than done. The most critical thing is that sometimes we realize the need but lack motivation and a support framework to act. Green Lead wants to be a force for climate action by igniting both future and current leaders. We have one earth to protect, and we are on the same team against climate change. Let’s take the responsibility and strive to ensure a planet that remains livable for both ourselves and future generations.
