Surfing the Future

Surfing the Future explores systemic solutions to global challenges, intertwining sustainability, market reform, and technological advancements. It advocates for significant shifts in corporate, democratic, and environmental approaches, highlighting key figures, theoretical explorations, and the importance of radical innovation and leadership in addressing the Anthropocene, climate change, and societal inequalities.

Sustainability and System Change Market Dynamics and Corporate Responsibility Technological Advancements and AI Environmental Policy and Green Auditing Global Democracy and Governance Education and Leadership in Sustainability Corporate Influence on Climate Policy Global Economic Shifts and Geopolitics Innovative Solutions for Climate Change Social and Environmental Justice

The hottest Substack posts of Surfing the Future

And their main takeaways

The Anthropocene: What's In A Name?

139 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology Climate change Sustainability Biodiversity Evolution
  1. Naming periods of significant change is crucial for understanding history and its impact on the present and future.
  2. The concept of Anthropocene, denoting the era where human activities have significant geological impacts, sparks debates among scientists about its start date and implications.
  3. Embracing new paradigms like sustainability and circularity is essential for addressing climate and biodiversity emergencies, even if the recognition like the Anthropocene remains a point of contention.

Democracies, Dr. Putin Will See You Now

139 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Authoritarianism Repression Sustainability Election interference
  1. Democracy is facing challenges globally, with a recurring pattern of decline observed in capitalism, democracy, and sustainability.
  2. Existential shocks are needed to reshape assumptions in the realms of Democracy and Sustainability.
  3. Leaders like Putin in power for long periods exhibit authoritarian tendencies, highlighting the need to revamp democratic systems.

Dune 3: Planetary Regeneration?

59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Environment Religion Science fiction
  1. The Kynes family in 'Dune' is crucial, with Pardot, Liet-Kynes, and Chani playing significant roles in planetary regeneration.
  2. The complex characters and the family business of planetary regeneration add depth and memorability to the 'Dune' story.
  3. Herbert's ecological themes in 'Dune' explore the aim of all life to maintain coordinated patterns of greater diversity, emphasizing the importance of sustaining life.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Blueprints: Exploring System Change

279 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🔬 Science System Change Sustainability AI Climate
  1. 2024 marks the 50th year of the author engaging professionally in sustainability agendas.
  2. The author plans a 'Blueprints' discovery process throughout the year, involving thinkers and practitioners of system change.
  3. Key themes of the discovery process include the role of science fiction in systemic solutions, younger generations' views, scaling sustainability solutions, market-based ecosystem regeneration, and AI's future applications.

Red And Blue Part Ways On Green Auditing

99 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
💼 Business
  1. Earlier generations of market activists helped mainstream the idea of green auditing, challenging companies and prompting consumers and retailers to consider environmental issues.
  2. Differences in approaches to green issues in the EU and US, as well as between Republican and Democrat states within the US, may lead to a divide in accounting regimes and pose challenges for companies operating across regions.
  3. The push for expanded green auditing and reporting, influenced by regulatory shifts and market demand, raises questions about the meaningful impact of the data produced and the ethical considerations of the auditing process.

Cage Fight: Musk vs. OpenAI

79 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Innovation History Politics
  1. Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for allegedly prioritizing AI for profit over humanity's benefit, highlighting concerns about AGI's threats.
  2. The concept of cliodynamics examines the recurring patterns of extreme inequality and elite infighting throughout history, reflecting on current societal tensions.
  3. The Musk vs. OpenAI conflict raises questions about the influence of wealth and power in society, hinting at deeper societal currents and potential consequences.

Is Earth A Computational Process?

119 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🔬 Science Computing AI Sustainability Chemistry
  1. Stephen Wolfram's TED talk on computational thinking explores AI, the universe, and more, opening up new possibilities for the future.
  2. Earth being a computing process is a fascinating concept with implications for sustainability and AI.
  3. The work of James Lovelock, especially his Gaia theory, holds significance and influences the thinking of many individuals.

Shifting The Shifting Baseline Syndrome

99 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Nature Conservation Sustainability System Change
  1. System change can often creep up on us, and we adapt without realizing it, leading to the 'shifting baseline syndrome'. We tend to imagine today's world as how it was yesterday, which may not be the case.
  2. The concept of rewilding offers a chance to reset our baselines, allowing nature to rebound faster than expected. This shift could lead to 'Knepp' potentially becoming a verb symbolizing unexpected transformation.
  3. In the sustainability space, there has been a dilution of the original system change ambition over time due to mainstreaming. The concept of triple bottom line has evolved and must continue to adapt to drive urgent systemic changes.

Here Be Dragons: Exploring London's Edges

59 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Design Culture
  1. The phrase 'Here Be Dragons' references complex and powerful coding, sparking magical possibilities.
  2. Exploring the edges of systems and fostering shared values can lead to impactful leadership in sustainability.
  3. Transformations for the future, such as economic shifts and city developments, require visible efforts and are met with resistance.

Is Starmer Chicken?

79 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Leadership Climate change
  1. Political leaders should address challenges and support real-world solutions.
  2. Leaders should have the courage of their convictions to tackle pressing issues like the climate crisis.
  3. Effective leadership in times of crisis requires vision, political courage, and stamina.

Imperial And China

39 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics China Sustainability Security Defense
  1. Geopolitical trends will impact the sustainability revolution, causing controversy as the sector grows.
  2. China's focus on solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, and EVs is reshaping the sustainability sector's priorities.
  3. Collaboration between scientists and companies linked to China's military is now raising concerns compared to the past.

Think Water And Waves, Not Just Fish

59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Sustainability Market Dynamics Corporate Responsibility Environmental Impact
  1. Focus on the broader market landscapes rather than just individual businesses ("fish") in terms of sustainability and corporate responsibility.
  2. Anita Roddick's legacy through The Body Shop highlights the importance of corporate responsibility agendas in the business realm.
  3. The collapse of The Body Shop's UK arm underlines the need for market evolution to promote sustainable practices among businesses.

This Must Be Made Personal For Deniers

59 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Corporate Influence Global Warming Environmental justice
  1. Ensuring accountability for systemic crimes is crucial, with heavy financial penalties, especially for those profiting from reprehensible practices like the British empire's opium trade
  2. Uncomfortable parallels exist between historical criminal enterprises like the opium trade, the opioid crisis, and modern fossil fuel industries, hinting at potential criminalization
  3. Legal actions such as climate scientist Michael Mann's successful defamation lawsuit highlight the importance of holding false accusers accountable, pushing for strict consequences against defamers

The African Century?

39 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Demographics Africa Population Growth Migration
  1. Africa's population is projected to reach 40% of the world's population by 2100, having significant implications in various aspects.
  2. There's a generational shift happening in Africa as Baby Boomers recede, and younger generations come into power with different values and priorities.
  3. Despite potential migration desires, many young Africans want to stay in Africa to make a positive impact, potentially reshaping the continent's future.

How I Got To This Point

59 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership Events System Change
  1. John Elkington will be sharing insights from his Churchill Fellowship journey on 6th March.
  2. His formative experience in the US during the Reagan Administration influenced his thinking on system change politics.
  3. The upcoming event in London will mark his debut as an Ambassador for the Fellowship.

EU Systems Transformation Hub launched

59 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Environment Policy European Union Sustainability Collaboration
  1. EU Systems Transformation Hub launched to find systemic solutions for systemic crises in Europe.
  2. The Hub involves five organizations like Metabolic, EIT Climate-KIC, and the Club of Rome, with an open invite for more to join.
  3. The Hub focuses on mapping EU progress on Sustainable Development Goals, crafting progressive narratives for policymakers, and consulting with stakeholders.

Help Bill Weihl Take LEAD On Climate Policy

39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Sustainability Climate Crisis
  1. Bill Weihl advocates for companies to play a stronger role in climate policy.
  2. Weihl uses AI-generated audio to communicate due to ALS, highlighting the importance of sustainability professionals' collective voice.
  3. The LEAD statement calls for companies to leave obstructing trade associations, elevate climate policy, advocate for specific climate policies, and commit to transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Driving A Tank Through Our Climate Budget

39 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Climate Defense Security Conflict Peace
  1. Cutting climate spending to boost defense budgets can have negative consequences on addressing the climate and sustainability agenda.
  2. There is a growing concern about new levels of conflict fueled by cyberwarfare and genetic weapons, requiring more engagement with military and intelligence sectors.
  3. Future conflicts could harm the planet directly and shift focus away from crucial efforts to combat climate and biodiversity emergencies.

Macron's Call For "Demographic Rearmament"

19 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Population France Economy
  1. Population declines are becoming a concern in developed countries like South Korea and Japan, impacting GDP and international influence.
  2. France's President Macron is highlighting the concept of 'demographic rearmament' to address the threats of depopulation.
  3. There is alarm about the possible implementation of authoritarian, pro-natalist policies to counter population decrease.

A Mount Rushmore For Sustainability?

1 HN point • 02 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Markets Regulation Externalities
  1. Consider creating a sustainability version of Mount Rushmore showcasing notable figures like Richard Sandor, Rachel Carson, and Gro Harlem Brundtland.
  2. Richard Sandor made significant contributions to the financial world by pioneering interest rate futures contracts and emissions trading, leading to the creation of influential exchanges.
  3. Sandor's mentor, Ronald Coase, emphasized the difficulties in designing markets and the importance of viewing failure as part of the learning process.

B-Schools Show Transatlantic Divide

19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Education Sustainability
  1. FT Global MBA Rankings show a transatlantic divide in B-Schools' focus on sustainability, with EU schools topping ESG and Net Zero rankings.
  2. Wharton and Harvard Business School are top B-Schools overall but rank low in ESG and Net Zero, raising questions about the future curriculum focus.
  3. The lack of emphasis on ESG and Net Zero in top US B-Schools compared to top EU B-Schools hints at a trans-Atlantic gap in business education priorities.

This Is Not A Peasant's Revolt

19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Environmental Policy Protests European Union
  1. Farmers protesting against certain aspects of the EU Green Deal are not comparable to historical peasant revolts.
  2. Many of these protesting farmers benefit from significant subsidies and are entrenched in unsustainable agricultural practices.
  3. Farmers resisting change in agriculture are delaying the necessary shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly system.

Tortoise Trumps Hare

19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Change Cities Social Change Urban planning
  1. Change can happen at different tempos - either slowly and steadily or in sudden bursts.
  2. Traditional cities evolved through trial-and-error, messily, embracing human messiness, while tech-centric areas opt for a more exclusive lifestyle.
  3. Engaging with exponential trends is important for shaping the future, but sometimes slow change can lead to radical transformation.

On The 17 Podcast

0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎙 Podcasts Interviews Sustainability
  1. The podcast 'On The 17' features sustainability pioneers Mike Berners-Lee, Jo Fairley, and John Elkington discussing important environmental topics.
  2. John Elkington joins the podcast around the 21:40 mark, providing valuable insights on sustainability.
  3. The podcast is hosted by Kate Hutchinson of Yorkshire Sustainability Week, offering a platform for impactful discussions on sustainability.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Future
  1. There is a post coming soon from John Elkington on january 27, 2024.
  2. The post will be on johnelkington.substack.com.
  3. It seems like the post will be related to 'Surfing the Future'.

Security Cameras For The Planet

0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment
  1. A significant methane leak was detected in Kazakhstan; methane is a potent greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide.
  2. New technology allows for the detection of global methane emissions, aiding in climate emergency efforts.
  3. Satellites can track methane leaks using a unique fingerprint created when sunlight passes through it; MethaneSat technology is coined as a 'security camera for the planet.'

Running AMOC

0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🔬 Science Climate Oceanography Research Risk
  1. The ocean/atmosphere system is already changing, and latest studies suggest these changes may have dire implications for the world.
  2. The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is at risk of an abrupt shift that could impact global climate regulation.
  3. An article on this topic is recommended reading for political, business leaders, and investors globally.