{"id":2089,"date":"2016-04-20T11:29:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-20T18:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/?p=2089"},"modified":"2016-04-27T10:19:40","modified_gmt":"2016-04-27T17:19:40","slug":"2089","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/?p=2089","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability and Climate Risk Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"line-height: 1.71429; font-size: 1rem;\">Making Wiser Decisions in This Time of Great Uncertainty<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"line-height: 1.71429; font-size: 1rem;\">Having the opportunity to work with Dr. Mark\u00a0Trexler\u00a0of the <\/span><span class=\"s2\" style=\"line-height: 1.71429; font-size: 1rem;\"><a style=\"line-height: 1.71429; font-size: 1rem;\" href=\"http:\/\/climatographer.com\/\">Climatographer<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"line-height: 1.71429; font-size: 1rem;\">on this blogpost really expanded my awareness of climate change risk.\u00a0If there ever was one major risk to our planet, people, and prosperity this is it.\u00a0Mark is an expert in this field and we were connected\u00a0by Kirsi Jansa a documentary filmmaker who is creating the series,\u00a0Sustainability Pioneers,\u00a0which we feature\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"line-height: 1.71429; font-size: 1rem;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.earthsayers.com\/special_collection\/Sustainability_Pioneers_1_The_Journey_Begins\/90\/25952\"><span class=\"s2\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"line-height: 1.71429; font-size: 1rem;\"> on\u00a0our search engine, EarthSayers.tv,\u00a0Voices of Sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dr.\u00a0Trexler\u00a0and his teammate, Laura Kosloff are indeed pioneers and voices of sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Why Risk Analysis?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As we move off of debating the science of climate change, but given that we\u2019ve been largely ineffectual thus far at slowing global climate change, it\u2019s time to focus on\u00a0how orga<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2095 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Screen-Shot-2016-04-20-at-11.46.16-AM-214x300.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2016-04-20 at 11.46.16 AM\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Screen-Shot-2016-04-20-at-11.46.16-AM-214x300.png 214w, https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Screen-Shot-2016-04-20-at-11.46.16-AM.png 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/>nizations can make wiser decisions in this time of great uncertainty.\u00a0Complicating\u00a0the move forward for organizations is uncertainty regarding which C-suite or Board level executive should be leading the charge. Climate risks may affect corporate operations, investment decisions\u00a0and supply chain management. Further complicating \u00a0things is there is no \u201cright or wrong\u201d when it comes to assessing corporate climate risk;\u00a0however, as Dr. Trexler points out, in the aggregate, poorly supported risk assumptions may leave considerable risk on the table.\u00a0And since opportunity is the flip-side of risk, climate-related opportunities may also be left on the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Where to Start?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As one uniquely qualified to help with\u00a0advancing\u00a0climate and\u00a0sustainability\u00a0agendas in the face of uncertainty, Dr.\u00a0Trexler offers some recommendations while cautioning there is\u00a0\u201cno one size fits all.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Don\u2019t get hung up on \u201cmitigation vs. adaptation\u201d; at the corporate level risk mitigation often involves adapting to changing physical and policy circumstances. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Start by carrying out a \u201cbusiness materiality assessment,\u201d that pulls in representatives from a range of business functions and initiatives.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"li1\">\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">If the materiality assessment referred to in the prior bullet suggests climate change is a material business issue, the next step is to think through what the climate risk scenarios are that the company should be using for strategic planning purposes and risk management purposes.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">With the appropriate internal team develop and maintain a <i>climate change risk-based strategy<\/i> that is incorporated into\u00a0your organization\u2019s advocacy and sustainability initiative(s).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Because we can \u201csee\u201d some distance into the future, keep your strategy flexible and responsive.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As the metaphor goes, you don\u2019t have to outrun the bear to stay competitive, you only need to outrun the person next to you.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>The Climate Web\u2122 an antidote to #ClimateNoise<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2100\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2100\" class=\"wp-image-2100 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/laura-150x150.png\" alt=\"laura\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2100\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laura Kosloff<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Climate Web, which we will\u00a0cover in more detail in my next blogpost, is a knowledge solution developed by Mark and Laura to help users find<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>the information they need to identify\u00a0and track the climate risk issues of most importance to them. The Climate Web organizes thousands of reports, news stories, blogs, and other materials, often extracting and linking critical information for easy access. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Here I am reminded of the quote by <a href=\"http:\/\/eowilsonfoundation.org\/e-o-wilson\/\" target=\"_blank\">E.O.\u00a0Wilson<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2097 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/The-climate-Web-illustration-300x199.png\" alt=\"The climate Web illustration\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/The-climate-Web-illustration-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/The-climate-Web-illustration-624x413.png 624w, https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/The-climate-Web-illustration.png 674w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The Climate Web addresses this situation we find ourselves in with information overload and limited access to curated, relevant content making informed decisions difficult &#8211; at times impossible &#8211; especially when it comes to the goal of sustainability and the reality of global climate change.\u00a0This problem is one we here at EarthSayers.tv also address by curating the voices (all video) of hundreds of thought leaders and practitioners from all walks of life so that thought leaders and experts such as Mark and Laura rise to the top of search results and can be found in the sea of information.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Having worked in large manufacturing, distribution and marketing organizations, I know one of the pitfalls to decision-making is the assumptions we bring to the table. Thankfully in this regard Mark identifies for decision makers seven fairly common assumptions that need to be challenged based on their over twenty-five years experience advising a wide range of clients, worldwide, on climate change risk and analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Seven Not So Helpful Assumptions<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> \u2022 Climate risks are really no different than other business risks; they\u2019re not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> \u2022 The future of climate policy will look like the past; unlikely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> \u2022 Focus only on the obvious climate risks; in practice it\u2019s the 2<\/span><span class=\"s5\"><sup>nd<\/sup><\/span><span class=\"s1\"> and 3<\/span><span class=\"s5\"><sup>rd<\/sup><\/span><span class=\"s1\"> order risks that will be the biggest problem for many companies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> \u2022 Physical and policy climate risks will evolve slowly and linearly; in both cases sudden shifts are actually more likely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> \u2022 Climate change won\u2019t be business material within a relevant timeframe; more and more companies are already finding that\u2019s not true.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> \u2022 We should stick with \u201cexpected\u201d levels of change for risk management; in reality most of the risk is in the<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cfat tail\u201d of the risk distribution. We routinely recognize this in all kinds of risk decision-making, e.g. insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Mark has also served as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and holds graduate degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. To take advantage of his expertise in both the public and private sectors, contact him at: <a href=\"mailto:mark@climatographer.com\"><span class=\"s2\">mark@climatographer.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Time is of the essence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Ruth Ann Barrett, Sustainability Advocate, April 20, 2016, Portland, Oregon. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Making Wiser Decisions in This Time of Great Uncertainty Having the opportunity to work with Dr. Mark\u00a0Trexler\u00a0of the Climatographer\u00a0on this blogpost really expanded my awareness of climate change risk.\u00a0If there ever was one major risk to our planet, people, and prosperity this is it.\u00a0Mark is an expert in this field and we were connected\u00a0by Kirsi [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2089"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2089\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2091,"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2089\/revisions\/2091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earthsayers.tv\/sustainabilityadvocate\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}