Column Pieter Vos: Reciprocity

We can't ignore it; our Earth's climate is changing. Action needs to be taken, but getting things in motion is not easy. There are so many excuses. "We'll wait a bit with concrete steps because, well... the recession, you know. And the increasing scarcity of raw materials is no small matter. Moreover, we are still recovering from the COVID pandemic." Another common refrain: "We're working on it! And we have grand plans! However... it takes money and time before we can implement them."

Time is ticking, especially concerning the loss of biodiversity; a problem much more threatening than any other crises we've faced. To halt this loss, it is essential that we pay much more attention to the relation and dynamics of all systems on our Earth. Take care of the Earth, so the Earth can continue to take care of us. Reciprocity.

Hilda Feenstra, author of the book ‘Duurzaam zijn moet je durven’ (Being Sustainable Requires Courage), identifies four core causes for the current problems: we are depleting nature faster than it can recover; we release too many substances from the Earth's crust into the environment too quickly; we limit people in fulfilling their basic needs; and we introduce too many foreign substances into the environment too rapidly. She argues that it's time to break free from our current ‘reductionism’ and linear thinking. We need to shift to systemic thinking. Opt for a source-oriented approach to these four core problems and embrace comprehensive solutions.

Many companies genuinely want to become more sustainable. They see how significant the problems are. That's why they make grand plans. However, implementing grand plans takes time and a lot of money. Years may pass. Ask yourself: will your company still have a viable existence in 10 or 20 years?

There is an alternative approach. Dare to show where you stand and the sustainable choices you make, even in mandatory reporting. Just start! With small steps, you can still make progress.

Pieter Vos
Directeur Nutrilab