ENVIRONMENT

The exponential way humans have grown over the last few hundred years has been positive to the standard of living, life spans, and the ability to enjoy more of the day vs previous generations.  A disadvantage to humans was the speed at which it all happened.  When the world seemed bigger and economic theory was being further developed, there was an error made that our society is now having to confront.  This error was not including the impacts to the environment within economic models and to the balance sheets.  Instead, it was sent out to the common without acknowledging true costs.  At that time, it would have been difficult to foresee the Big Picture.  Even today, in 2024, there is still a large misunderstanding of this equation and its impact.  Detached Observation lowers bias and emotions and relies on what has advanced human society - math and the scientific method.  

The challenge human society has of putting the Environment in the economic equation now includes a few of the following:

-  Companies and shareholders do not want to take a hit to share prices and profits.  Black to Red in an instant. 

-  Having wealth increases status and the chances of survival better and thus takes first priority over the environment (this priority can and will change at some point when status and survival and the environment is 1st priority).

-  Humans respond to the near and now vs the future.  For basically all of human history, the near term was always survival.  Plus, humans did not understand the earth and its systems until recently - again, a small blip on a human/earth time scale.

-  The environment/earth is complex, difficult for individuals to give it energy as they attempt to survive on a daily basis.  First priority, survival.  Surplus allows a person to think and act beyond the basic necessities of life.

-  This all happened so fast and it challenges many world views.  Again, the power of the exponential vs linear thinking.

-  From a linear and energy perspective, many do not understand the issues at hand.  It is easier to have one issue to focus on versus attempting to understand the whole system.    

Bottom line:  The whole earth is connected.  It is difficult to understand because going to a grocery store with stocked shelves works for individuals to survive in the moment.  Many of the Big Picture concepts are beyond the energy a person wants to give during the day.  Also, humans spent almost every moment in history not needing to think of the global Big Picture.  The human mind wants simplicity in a world that is getting more complex.  

We will attempt to make the complex simple so you can understand major concepts without spending an extraordinary amount of energy researching to learn.

Mapping Focus for the Environment and Trends we will be watching

We will focus our efforts on the needs of those who seek our service.  A person in government can have a different need for immediate environment adaptation than a business owner.  As mentioned above, the information of the changing earth's environment (due to the exponential) can be overwhelming.  Thus, making it simple, focused, and effective will be our objectives.

We will also help you with Human Perception in terms of the Environment.  People will - and do - feel helpless and powerless.  We like to be in control of our world and do not like uncertainty.  Every topic within the Big Picture challenges an individual person/organization of being in control and have a specific certain future.  

Below you will find many of the areas we will be covering when it comes to the environment.  If you work in any of these fields and want to get in touch with us to give your feedback, we welcome your insight.

Here are the areas that we are watching:

- Biodiversity

- Species Adaption 

- Oceans

- Fishing Stocks

- Habitat

- Invasive Species / Movement to Adapt

- Climate

- Pollution

- Ice Melt

- Fresh Water and the competition for

- Soil Degradation

- Plastics and Chemicals added to the system

- and other selected areas

We put Environment number 4 (even though it should be 1st).  This is because human society as a whole will continue to pursue as much energy and resources to increase individual, national, and global wealth.  The Environment is lower on the hierarchy.  Thus, the simple math tells us that there will be exponential changes around the planet and these uncertain changes will develop quickly on a human timescale.  Expect (based on individual adaptation behaviors to this) customers and employees looking to organizations to do more to help people feel hopeful (reducing uncertainty). 

ENVIRONMENT

There is a reason the Environment is lower on the list.  It is not because of it's importance - as it should be front and center.  In a world that is Exponential AND nearing/hitting important tipping points, forward thinking on the Environment is vital.  However, the human brain focuses on the 'here and now' and how to survive In the Moment.  Thus, the Environment will remain lower on the hierarchy for the time being.  In 2025, we will be watching:

     - The Speed of Change in Global Temperatures and Environmental Impacts

     - Innovations that can slow the coming changes

     - Major Tipping Point Changes

     - Ongoing Research

Important>  Since we think in a linear fashion, there will be constant surprises in all of these categories in the years ahead.   Research that is published in areas of the Environment is already in the PAST (In an exponential world, it is important to reflect on this).  Also, science is conservative (which generally means things can be Understated) and since the Environment is lower on the hierarchy and does not make money, the research can/will be downplayed.

Websites to consider if you would like to learn more:

Probable Futures.org

2025 US and World Environment Watch

January 2025

WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55C above pre-industrial level

After Millenia as carbon dioxide sink, more than one-third of Arctic-boreal region is now a source