Good COP, Bad COP? A Dispatch from Glasgow
[av_one_full first min_height='' vertical_alignment='' space='' custom_margin='' margin='0px' row_boxshadow='' row_boxshadow_color='' row_boxshadow_width='10' link='' linktarget='' link_hover='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' padding='0px' highlight='' highlight_size='' border='' border_color='' radius='0px' column_boxshadow='' column_boxshadow_color='' column_boxshadow_width='10' background='bg_color' background_color='' background_gradient_color1='' background_gradient_color2='' background_gradient_direction='vertical' src='' background_position='top left' background_repeat='no-repeat' animation='' mobile_breaking='' mobile_display='' av_uid='av-8y7ngu'][av_image src='https://vector-center.com/wp-content/uploads/2009-12-09-Copenhagen-COP-15-demos-JGanter-cropped.jpg' attachment='3359' attachment_size='full' align='center' styling='' hover='' link='' target='' caption='' font_size='' appearance='' overlay_opacity='0.4' overlay_color='#000000' overlay_text_color='#ffffff' copyright='' animation='no-animation' av_uid='av-kvjff1f4' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''][/av_image][av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-kvjfilx8' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg='']As the world turns to Glasgow, Vector center is there. From Vector Center CEO, J. Carl GanterFifteen years ago I was in the room where it happened… or didn’t. I and a few others were sequestered until sunrise with global leaders at the United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen. We napped under the table.Earlier that night, I took this picture of some 100,000 demonstrators outside the Congress Centre, an image that ricocheted around the world, including the cover page of Vanity Fair. Nicknamed Hopenhagen, it was just that. Hope, but with little action. Protesters outside, politicians inside. Companies and financial institutions watched from afar.Now in 2021 Vector Center is here again, this time the Glasgow climate conference, where the stakes have never been higher. (The Economist)
What’s Different: “Follow the Money”
Beyond the political deliberations, the real news here is how the world’s largest companies are aligning on climate change response. For example, see this call to action by 91 international CEOs and the World Economic Forum, and some 6,000 companies have joined the U.N. Global Compact.
Climate is Water
When it comes to global climate policy, water has long been overlooked. As our friends at Circle of Blue report, if carbon-reduction plans are not well designed they can worsen water scarcity and pollution. Now, water activists see COP26 as an opportunity to make serious inroads in linking climate change to water security. At the most basic, water is climate and has the most visceral effects on economies and geopolitical stability.
“Like it or not, climate change is coming. The most profound impacts will be on the hydrological cycle (it’s where the rubber meets the road). Water is the number one way to address the risks of a changing climate and the true “no regrets” solution to climate change.” — Vector Center Advisor, Dr. Aaron Salzberg
The Forecast Calls for Pain
For business, it's a pragmatic risks equation. The forecast calls for pain, as the blues song goes, and corporates are feeling the hurt in their supply chains and abilities to operate — mostly through water. Those with strong presence here include most major global brands, a roster that includes Accenture, Microsoft, Salesforce, Credit-Suisse, BMW, (and Vector Center).We’re participating in executive-level events with Time Magazine, Microsoft, APCO Worldwide, and Leaders on Purpose, the group of global CEOs where I've joined the advisory board.
Listening
We listen to diverse signals and compare perception and reality for our customers. We also listen to our world-class cohort of advisors who add brilliance to business, technology, networks and our culture. Success is about building networks and partnerships.
Vector Center, a Vital Tool in an Uncertain World
The world seeks a moonshot, and every moonshot needs a navigation system. This is the moment when perception and reality are defining our future. Vector Center is essential for guidance and course correction.J. Carl GanterCEO, Vector Center[/av_textblock][/av_one_full][av_one_full first min_height='' vertical_alignment='av-align-top' space='' custom_margin='aviaTBcustom_margin' margin='0px,-10px' row_boxshadow_color='' row_boxshadow_width='10' link='' linktarget='' link_hover='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' padding='0px' padding_sync='true' highlight_size='1.1' border='' border_color='' radius='0px' radius_sync='true' column_boxshadow_color='' column_boxshadow_width='10' background='bg_color' background_color='' background_gradient_color1='' background_gradient_color2='' background_gradient_direction='vertical' src='' attachment='' attachment_size='' background_position='top left' background_repeat='no-repeat' animation='' mobile_breaking='' mobile_display='' av_uid='av-kvjfn2fm' custom_class=''][av_hr class='invisible' height='50' shadow='no-shadow' position='center' custom_border='av-border-thin' custom_width='50px' custom_border_color='' custom_margin_top='30px' custom_margin_bottom='30px' icon_select='yes' custom_icon_color='' icon='ue808' font='entypo-fontello' av_uid='av-kvjfo512' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''][av_hr class='invisible' height='50' shadow='no-shadow' position='center' custom_border='av-border-thin' custom_width='50px' custom_border_color='' custom_margin_top='30px' custom_margin_bottom='30px' icon_select='yes' custom_icon_color='' icon='ue808' font='entypo-fontello' av_uid='av-kvjfo512' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''][av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-kvjfctb2' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg='']
New Additions: Business and Technical Advisors
[/av_textblock][/av_one_full][av_one_fourth first min_height='' vertical_alignment='' space='' custom_margin='' margin='0px' row_boxshadow='' row_boxshadow_color='' row_boxshadow_width='10' link='' linktarget='' link_hover='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' padding='0px' highlight='' highlight_size='' border='' border_color='' radius='0px' column_boxshadow='' column_boxshadow_color='' column_boxshadow_width='10' background='bg_color' background_color='' background_gradient_color1='' background_gradient_color2='' background_gradient_direction='vertical' src='' background_position='top left' background_repeat='no-repeat' animation='' mobile_breaking='' mobile_display='' av_uid='av-7gxs9a'][av_image src='https://vector-center.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-Leland-Maschmeyer.jpg' attachment='3339' attachment_size='full' align='center' styling='' hover='' link='' target='' caption='' font_size='' appearance='' overlay_opacity='0.4' overlay_color='#000000' overlay_text_color='#ffffff' copyright='' animation='no-animation' av_uid='av-kvjfjaz7' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''][/av_image][av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-kvjfiyjs' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg='']Leland Maschmeyer is chairman of COLLINS, the globally renowned brand design firm.[/av_textblock][/av_one_fourth][av_one_fourth min_height='' vertical_alignment='' space='' custom_margin='' margin='0px' row_boxshadow='' row_boxshadow_color='' row_boxshadow_width='10' link='' linktarget='' link_hover='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' padding='0px' highlight='' highlight_size='' border='' border_color='' radius='0px' column_boxshadow='' column_boxshadow_color='' column_boxshadow_width='10' background='bg_color' background_color='' background_gradient_color1='' background_gradient_color2='' background_gradient_direction='vertical' src='' background_position='top left' background_repeat='no-repeat' animation='' mobile_breaking='' mobile_display='' av_uid='av-6d4bbi'][av_image src='https://vector-center.com/wp-content/uploads/ABL_MBP_3-BW.jpg' attachment='3260' attachment_size='full' align='center' styling='' hover='' link='' target='' caption='' font_size='' appearance='' overlay_opacity='0.4' overlay_color='#000000' overlay_text_color='#ffffff' copyright='' animation='no-animation' av_uid='av-kvjfjwkl' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''][/av_image][av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-kvjfjk79' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg='']Aubrey Blanche is Director of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp, and a startup investor and advisor.[/av_textblock][/av_one_fourth][av_one_fourth min_height='' vertical_alignment='' space='' custom_margin='' margin='0px' row_boxshadow='' row_boxshadow_color='' row_boxshadow_width='10' link='' linktarget='' link_hover='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' padding='0px' highlight='' highlight_size='' border='' border_color='' radius='0px' column_boxshadow='' column_boxshadow_color='' column_boxshadow_width='10' background='bg_color' background_color='' background_gradient_color1='' background_gradient_color2='' background_gradient_direction='vertical' src='' background_position='top left' background_repeat='no-repeat' animation='' mobile_breaking='' mobile_display='' av_uid='av-e6ei6'][av_image src='https://vector-center.com/wp-content/uploads/fleming-2021-BW.jpg' attachment='3343' attachment_size='full' align='center' styling='' hover='' link='' target='' caption='' font_size='' appearance='' overlay_opacity='0.4' overlay_color='#000000' overlay_text_color='#ffffff' copyright='' animation='no-animation' av_uid='av-kvjfkmwc' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''][/av_image][av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-kvjfk6ly' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg='']Paul Fleming established and led the Global Water Program for Microsoft, including Microsoft committed to be water positive by 2030.[/av_textblock][/av_one_fourth][av_one_fourth min_height='' vertical_alignment='' space='' custom_margin='' margin='0px' row_boxshadow='' row_boxshadow_color='' row_boxshadow_width='10' link='' linktarget='' link_hover='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' padding='0px' highlight='' highlight_size='' border='' border_color='' radius='0px' column_boxshadow='' column_boxshadow_color='' column_boxshadow_width='10' background='bg_color' background_color='' background_gradient_color1='' background_gradient_color2='' background_gradient_direction='vertical' src='' background_position='top left' background_repeat='no-repeat' animation='' mobile_breaking='' mobile_display='' av_uid='av-3795vi'][av_image src='https://vector-center.com/wp-content/uploads/Aaron-Salzberg-BW.jpg' attachment='3259' attachment_size='full' align='center' styling='' hover='' link='' target='' caption='' font_size='' appearance='' overlay_opacity='0.4' overlay_color='#000000' overlay_text_color='#ffffff' copyright='' animation='no-animation' av_uid='av-kvjfl7g3' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''][/av_image][av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-kvjfkwic' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg='']Dr. Aaron Salzberg is director of the UNC Water Institute, and former management of U.S. foreign policy on water at the State Department[/av_textblock][/av_one_fourth]