Beyond the Black Swan: How the Pandemic and Digital Innovations Intensified the Sustainability Imperative – Everywhere

The COVID-19 pandemic was a collective nightmare experience that catalyzed the evolution of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and mainstreamed sustainability. We are now at the late dawn of the Anthropocene, where the impact of humans on the planet's geology and ecosystems poses the greatest threat to our existence. This book provides insights from leaders across diverse domains and highlights moments when sustainability flourished in response to the pandemic. The journey ahead carries us beyond the realm of the Black Swan and into a new era with sustainability innovations as a critical placemat.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Certainly, the idea of waking up from a distressing dream, particularly one that feels endless and progressively removes the pleasures and conveniences of modern living, is appealing to everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with a collective nightmare experience, akin to a Black Swan event, as described by author and mathematical philosopher Nassim Taleb. This unprecedented crisis, with its widespread rarity, devastating consequences, and apparent predictability in hindsight, has left an indelible mark on our world.

However, it is important to remember this remarkable period in our history as a White Swan event rather than a Black Swan. This event catalyzed the evolution of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, the mainstreaming of sustainability, and the emergence of digital innovations that provided ways for us to survive and thrive in a new and more holistic world order.

As we navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, we find ourselves at the late dawn of a new geologic epoch, the Anthropocene. The impact of human activities on the planet's geology and ecosystems is now so significant that the greatest threat to our existence stems from our own actions. Within these pages, you will discover insights from leaders across various domains, including community, industry, public administration, and the investment community. Through their personal experiences, we unravel White Swan sightings—moments when sustainability flourished in response to the reverberations of the COVID-19 virus.

More profoundly, the journey ahead extends beyond the realm of the Black Swan, as the acceleration of digital innovations empowers us to usher in a new era, one that emerges from the Anthropocene and into a new era, characterized by sustainability innovations as a critical focal point. The humanistic seismic shifts brought about by the pandemic will pave the way for a future of holistic interconnection.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032611693