Briefing No. 24

What we are reading

On the Greenwood Place bedside table

We’re reading Tomorrow’s Economy, in which Per Espen Stoknes reframes the hot-button issue of economic growth. Going beyond the zero sum pro-growth versus anti-growth debate, Stoknes calls for smart and inclusive value creation that benefits buyers, sellers and society.

And we just finished George Soros’s In Defence of Open Society, an impassioned defence of inclusive society, academic and media freedom, and human rights. Soros talks about the influences on his early life that informed his “political philanthropy” and his battle against authoritarianism, racism and intolerance.

Faces Places

Photographer and muralist JR (age 33) and legendary filmmaker Agnès Varda (age 88) team up to make ordinary people extraordinary. They travel together around rural France listening to people’s stories, and creating extraordinary photographic mementos of those encounters. This beautiful film is a poignant reminder of the community that we need to rebuild when we finally emerge from this period of isolation.

The Geopolitical Fight To Come

The world is cornered in a Janus-faced energy crisis: One generated by the speed with which it is necessary to replace fossil fuel energy to stop global temperatures rising, and one around oil, on which in three decades’ time, even if carbon neutrality is achieved, the world economy and everyday life will still depend. Moving away from fossil fuels is a Herculean task.

Sylvia Earle

“The ocean is truly what keeps us alive. And we have to return the favour”. Dive deep into the fascinating, horrifying, hopeful story of the ocean in conversation with world-renowned marine biologist Sylvia Earle.

And more Oceans…

Our seas have suffered from decades of decline - collapsing fish stocks are hitting coastal communities and undermining the fight against climate change. Two recent documentaries - Seaspiracy and The Limit - raise fascinating questions about what is really happening to our seas. Spoiler alert: plastics may not be our biggest problem in the ocean...

Top Five Drivers of ESG Investment

A Blessing

A benediction from the late John O'Donohue, for the consoling embrace of steadiness and clarity in our most difficult moments.

We Won!

Greenwood Place was recognised with a global award from Catalyst 2030 as Philanthropic Intermediary. Launched at the World Economic Forum in January 2020, Catalyst 2030 comprises more than 500 proven social entrepreneurs who are active in over 180 countries and who directly reach an estimated two billion people.

And as part of the (virtual) ceremony, we were thrilled to receive special blessings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Truly a Thursday afternoon to treasure.

Upcoming Events

We are looking forward to diving into the Skoll World Forum online on 13-15th April this year. Do join us with us to watch, to learn and to discuss as part of our community.

Our next Greenwood Place roundtable is on 18th May. Clean energy visionaries Amar Inamdar and Bill Nussey will join us to discuss what they are doing as leaders and investors, to bring about a green transition. Let us know if you’d like to join.