There is no doubt about it, we live in a time of change!
While the media and many people are touting all the negative issues and events that happen in our world, I personally am quite optimistic and inspired by the positive movements I see happening at a grass roots level through individuals, projects and organizations. Some I’ve already talked about such as Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, David de Rothschild’s expedition the Plastiki and the Global Let’s Colour Project by AkzoNobel . These are all agents of change and transformation.
Recently I came across another change agent, Four Years.Go who’s purpose is to change the course of history. Really.
Their creed is that we are living in a time of unparalleled opportunity. And, that while there are tremendous dangers it is clear that we already possess all the technologies and practical solutions required to resolve the crises confronting us.
There are powerful transformative trends that are emerging and shaping a world ripe with new possibilities, such as:
- Communication technology that is connecting people globally, creating the beginnings of a global consciousness
- We understand and are re-establishing a deep inter-connection with all of nature
- Our sense of preservation and self interest has elevated sustainability to an everyday concern
These trends fundamentally change the playing field and open up endless options for the future. What they feel is missing is a collective sense of possibility, and the political and popular will to act collectively and globally! Their belief is that there is a limited window of opportunity, maybe just four years, to execute a turn around; four years for people to get motivated and involved; four years to apply solutions we already know; four years that can determine the quality of life on this planet for the next 1,000 years. 2014!
FOUR YEARS. GO. is a campaign to get humanity to take its future into its own hands, to wake up, and to motivate oourselves into action. And to do it now!
FOUR YEARS. GO. is a rallying call asking us all to…
- Wake Up to the profound opportunity we have now to create a future to match our deepest longing and greatest dreams
- Become change agents in redirecting humanity’s current path into one of sustainability
- And, to Do it now!
You can join this campaign and help spread the word; You can join WiserEarth, a free online community space connecting people, nonprofits and businesses to work toward a just and sustainable world; and you can follow both FourYearsGo and Wiser Earth on Face Book and Twitter.
Please help spread this movement by sharing with your friends and on Face Book and Twitter! Uplifting our World is a beautiful thing!
Are you a change agent? And what does a change agent mean in your industry?
#1 by ChrisLWagner on April 19, 2010 - 10:43 am
Hi Irene, very interesting video. I feel our culture is moving in this direction more and more. However, I think we have to slowly turn people and not demand that they ride a bike etc. There is a fine line of nudging and demanding.
#2 by Anna on April 19, 2010 - 4:43 pm
Hi Irene, I do agree with Chris. People are resistant to change and we do need to take baby steps to do see these goals through and support in doing them as well. I think that posts like yours will bring more awareness to these issues. We’ll all do our small parts. Great post and video!
Anna
#3 by Kerry Hargraves on April 20, 2010 - 12:14 pm
I like that 4YG is presenting their message from a positive position. It’s pretty obvious that scare tactics aren’t working. More progress in preserving an environment conducive to human life will be made by appealing to our enlightened self interest than by dire predictions of doom. However, we may be too far gone to hope that baby steps will do the job. But baby steps may prolong the decline long enough to allow time for bigger revolutions to take hold.
#4 by Ann Evanston on April 21, 2010 - 7:19 am
I have to say I landed on their website a month or two ago and was turned off – it felt very secretive and exclusive. You have shared in an inspiring and informative way Irene, thank you!
Ann Evanston
#5 by Joy Poulsen on April 21, 2010 - 8:11 am
Hi Irene,
Thanks so much for posting this message and the compelling video. I do believe that we are all change agents and have the power within us to make a difference. I drive a prius, ride my bike, recyle, reuse and compost and I think Ca. if definitely more progressive and so glad I live here! Thanks for posting.
#6 by Tanya Boggs on April 21, 2010 - 5:48 pm
Very inspiring. Makes me wonder how each of us can take all the little things we already do to make a difference and challenge ourselves and our friends to dig deeper and wider so that we can have an even bigger impact.
Thanks for the inspiration, Irene.
#7 by Irene Turner on April 21, 2010 - 6:22 pm
Thank you all for commenting…Tanya, I think you hit the nail on the head! Yes, what can we do to have an even bigger impact. First share the info to raise awareness…two, keep doing more of what we already are doing…three, join a group or event that can have a larger more inclusive impact, even if it is a once a year event. It all helps! And, it makes us all change agents…I just love that term in case you couldn’t tell : )
#8 by Lee on April 22, 2010 - 12:21 pm
They say that “drama sells.” It’s no wonder that bad news abounds on the airwaves, newspapers, etc., often making it difficult to find what good is happening in society. I’ve identified with this feeling intermittently and thought to myself, if I ever start a paper or a news channel, it’s gonna be all positive news (or at least start with it all). Reading your post helps reaffirm to me that the good circumstances and agents of change are out there, albeit perhaps quieter than the louder shunt of negativity on the airwaves.
Thanks for reminding me to keep the faith!