50 Years From The First Stockholm Conference
What Have We Improved in These 50 Years?
It has been 50 years since the Stockholm Conference - the first United Nations conference on the human environment. This conference aims to protect human health and the environment from the effects of persistent organic pollutants. The catch-phrase was "Only One Earth”.
Since then, scientists and others have become more concerned about the environment. Over the past 50 years they have accomplished influenced international environmental laws, inspired people to take action, helped to educate the public, etc… The conferences have accomplished so many things.
But now we are experiencing climate-related disasters everywhere in the world. World leaders have been gathering to discuss climate change and the environment for 50 years - yet still human activity is producing more and more greenhouse gas emissions and the situation has been growing worse every year. What is the reason for this contradiction?
I believe there are two types of influential people in the world. There are people who ignore climate change and just seek profits even though they are destroying nature and producing massive greenhouse gasses. And then there are those who understand the facts, take action, and become role models. Climate change statistics prove that more people chose wealth over protecting our planet.
I would like to write about the the outdoor apparel maker Patagonia’s founder, Mr.Chouinard and his family.
According to The New York Times, they have transferred their ownership of the company, valued at about $3 billion, to a non-profit organization specially developed trust to help combat climate change. This company expects to contribute about $100 million each year.
Can you imagine donating an entire company to fight climate change - one which is worth billions of dollars? I have never been a billionaire but knowing that most wealthy people seek to become even wealthier, his action is fascinating.
In his interview from The New York Times, Mr. Chouinard said, “Hopefully this will influence a new form of capitalism that doesn’t end up with a few rich people and a bunch of poor people. We are going to give away the maximum amount of money to people who are actively working on saving this planet.”
If more people follow this “new form of capitalism”, such as making decisions towards a better world, for sure we will have a bright future.
Despite the efforts of protecting human health and environment of the past 50 years many people are still ignoring the problems. But kids are watching who do the right thing.
Mr. Chouinard,
Thank you for thinking about Earth and our future.