Authored by Lau Rosich
As part our journey towards Antarctica, we made a 4 day stop to visit the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Our first day unfolded in the company of Cormorant dolphins, seals, and Petrel birds, accompanied by 3-meter swells that ushered us into an early bedtime. Having found our sea legs, our days alternated between in-person leadership workshops aboard the ship and landings on various islands.
The islands of Steeple Jason, Grave Cove, New Island, Saunders, and Steeple left us with a mix of emotions—awe, inspiration, and gratitude for the wonderful wildlife and landscapes we got to explore, intertwined with a complex blend of frustration and sadness as we witnessed the fragility of the island ecosystems, impacted by human-induced carbon emissions.
Climate change echoes persistently in the islands, casting a sobering shadow on the incredible wildlife we encountered, including King, Rockhopper and Gentoo penguins, and amazing Albatross with their majestic two-meter wingspans flying over us.
Amidst this, the strength of our leadership shines, illuminating potential synergies between academia, policymakers, industry and corporations. Excitement permeates the group as we acknowledge the importance of negotiation skills, change management, and a win-win strategy to engage all players on a larger scale. The rigid dichotomy of corporate versus academic approaches falls short in addressing the urgency of climate issues, including the struggles faced by underrepresented minorities and countries grappling with extreme conditions.
Human tendencies toward polarisation persist, impeding progress in climate action and human rights, conflict resolution, and all other big world problems. Brene Brown’s wisdom resonates—our strength lies in collective collaboration, in our ability to plan, communicate, and work together.
Photo: Call for cooperation. Credit: Heidi Victoria
As our journey continues, we reflect on the islands we’ve visited and the richness of experiences. In the upcoming two weeks, our focus shifts to exploring common problems, defining them clearly, and harnessing diverse skills and expertise for holistic, inclusive solutions. The goal remains steadfast: to contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet, our people, our resources, and our collective knowledge. It will be good for our planet, for humankind, and for the economy, no doubt.