2015 Bright Award at Stanford University

TL;DR

Polly Curtis has dedicated her career to promoting sustainability and recognizing the work of others in the field through the Bright Award, with the goal of fostering change in social conditions and environmental degradation.

Transcript

Stanford University I'm Polly Curtis and I'm director of the University of Cambridge Institute for sustainability leadership from reflect how fortunate I have been to have had a career that has evolved absolutely in lockstep with a sustainability devote I've never planned but we can't grow up in a country like South Africa without being acutely awa... Read More

Key Insights

• 💠 Personal experiences in one's upbringing can shape their dedication to sustainability and awareness of social conditions.
• 🎓 Collaboration between universities, governments, and the private sector is vital to addressing sustainability challenges effectively.
• 🧑‍🔬 Climate scientists feel a sense of despair about the potential consequences of climate change, but optimism and action are necessary to overcome these challenges.
• 🖐️ The private sector plays a crucial role in shifting towards sustainability and must find convergence between profitability and sustainability objectives.
• 👨‍💼 Developing leaders who understand the impact of their business on natural and social balance sheets is essential for promoting sustainability.
• 🪛 Polly Curtis and the Bright Award have had a significant impact on fostering change and driving the sustainability movement.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the Bright Award contribute to the field of sustainability?

The Bright Award not only recognizes exceptional sustainability work, but also raises awareness and extends the influence of the recipients, inspiring others to take action.

Q: How does Polly Curtis use her position at the University of Cambridge to promote sustainability?

Curtis leverages her relationships with universities, governments, and the private sector to foster collaboration and address sustainability challenges on various levels.

Q: What evidence does the British Antarctic Survey provide for the urgent need to address climate change?

The British Antarctic Survey's ice cores reveal that current carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere far exceed historical bounds, highlighting the radical changes humans are making to the earth's system.

Q: How does the banking industry contribute to sustainability efforts?

Through initiatives like the Banking Environment Initiative, major banks partner with client organizations to achieve net zero deforestation in supply chains. They have also committed to not lending money to companies involved in deforestation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Polly Curtis reflects on her career and upbringing in South Africa, which made her acutely aware of the need to address social conditions and environmental degradation.

• The Bright Award recognizes outstanding work in environmental sustainability, aiming to extend the influence of the recipients.

• Curtis emphasizes the importance of building relationships between universities, governments, and the private sector to address sustainability challenges.