Update from Brazil / Impact Roadshow & Food Security Event Recaps / Climate Confident Podcast
I'm writing this update having just arrived in Brazil and following another whirlwind week including the publication of a podcast interview on the new book. Check it out!
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I have just arrived in Brazil for the week, where we’ll be holding key meetings to build on our partnership with Pará State, UN Global Company, the Government of Brazil and Re:wild. As I mention in my book, illegal deforestation has reached its lowest point in years and the next two years will be critical to rally global support around this momentum. After all, we all benefit from the benefit the Amazon provides to the world.
By the way, I realize I forgot to share the final verdict from my poll a few weeks back on how folks thought about the effectiveness of soup throwing at the Mona Lisa as a campaign tactic. Seems like folks were divided, although many also clearly thought there might be a better way (which might just be the premise of my book ;))
Here’s what else happened this past week:
What a night at GC’s headquarters in NYC!
Thank you to those of you that joined us for the NYC Impact Roadshow event last night. There were hundreds of supporters to look back on an impactful 2023 and hear about the road ahead in 2024.
In 2024, GC will center it’s campaigns around driving financial investments to support developing countries recover from and mitigate the effects of the global food, energy, and climate crises, and to empower adolescent girls with a focus on health and education.
The event also heard remarks from Tribeca CEO & Co-Founder, Jane Rosenthal, Chairman and CEO of Verizon Hans Vestberg, Global CItizen Ambassador Danai Gurira, and Global Board Co-Chair Chris Stadler over the course of the evening.
..and what a night at the Brazilian Embassy in Rome!
Food Security continues to be a critical focus for GC’s team. With this in mind, in partnership with the Embassy of Brazil in Rome, Hungry for Action Campaign, and ECCO - The Italian Climate Change Think Tank, GC convened over 70 stakeholders for “Unifying Global Voices: Making Food Security a Priority in 2024”, a high level panel discussion identifying pathways to increasing cooperation across multiple sectors to eliminate food waste and be more conscious about sustainable energy in the global food supply chain.
The event was capped off by a cocktail reception curated by Michelin Star Chef and Activist Cristina Bowerman. GC was honored to be joined by key partners in the food security space including President Alvaro Lario of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (pictured above), Executive Director Dr. Qu Dongyu of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme.
Finally, many thanks to the Embassy of Brazil in Rome for hosting!
My appearance on the Climate Confident podcast!
I was honored to join my friend Tom Raftery on his podcast, “Climate Confident” to speak about how everyday citizens and cultural icons alike can serve as policy entrepreneurs. We discussed, for instance, the importance of setting clear, measurable goals and engaging with policymakers in a meaningful way. I also had a chance to plug my upcoming book, "From Ideas to Impact”. Don’t forget to pre-order here to help us reach our goal of 1000 copies pre-ordered by prior to April 9th.
You can find a clip from my conversation with Tom here, and if you have a little more time, you can find the whole podcast here. Please also like and share my linkedin post here.
How do we leverage technology for transformative solutions to real needs in the world?
I’m grateful to my good friend Taufiq Rahim for inviting me, Aly Bryan and Goksenin O. To unpack this question during a fantastic panel: “Beyond Unicorns, Towards Solutions.”
I shared a glimpse from Ideas to Impact. My point is that without a revamp of policy and philanthropy technology will fall short of achieving the transformation so many hope it will. But done well philanthropy and policy can make technology more inclusive, and technology can make philanthropy and policy more inclusive. I am currently writing a piece on this with a friend so look out for more.
And of course, please get in touch if you would like me to present about my book at your conference, workplace or event. I will be posting these on the website to as well.
My Weekend Reading List
How a Climate Group That Has Made Chaos Its Brand Got the White House’s Ear
Will a New (Labour) UK Chancellor Do Any More for Global Development?
As always, if you’re enjoying the weekly newsletter format, and want even more, you can subscribe to my Substack here where I publish reviews, lists, and articles regularly.
Til next week,
Mick