Workplaces as builders of a sustainable future
What if a more environmentally sustainabledaily life could be built where a large part of the adult population spendsmost of their weekdays: at work? The core of our TILKE project has been toexplore and promote the collective agency of the workplace community,transcending professional and hierarchical boundaries, especially in managingclimate change and adapting to the phenomenon. By agency, we mean aforward-looking approach and the ability to make purposeful changes to currentpractices.
Marianne Kiskola: Internal Climate Change – Socratic Filters
In Greece, when someone doesn't want to continue a malicious conversation about a third party, they say; "Πού να ξέρω εγω?". To emphasize their point, they raise both hands in front of them in a defensive gesture. The phrase can be translated literally as "How should I know?", but it actually means "It's not for me to say." It signals to the conversational partner that "It's pointless to continue hashing this out, we cannot know the facts for sure or the thoughts of others." Thus, the matter is considered fully addressed, and the toxic conversation is halted by a common code taught by Socrates long ago.
Consumer society: Life full of choices
We live in a consumer society when anything we want is available to us with a touch of a phone. We have the freedom of choice to buy anything we want and if we are not happy with the choice, we can choose again.
Marianne Kiskola: Internal climate change – Dialogue
The strength of an organization lies in the skill of dialogue. If a leader can speak to their subordinates in a way that puts everyone on the same level, it creates a pull and retention force so strong that there’s seldom a need to post job ads. A wise leader also demands a respectful dialogue skill from their work community.
Marianne Kiskola: Internal climate change – Innovation
"An idea is true if it leads to action," someone wise once said. Great success is built only around a clear and crystalline idea. One must keep moving and cling to new ideas for success to continue.
Is CCU a silver bullet for Finland
According to a recent VTT report, Finland's industry has a significant business opportunity in products made from carbon dioxide. By utilizing CO2, it is possible to produce fuels, plastics, chemicals, and building materials that can replace products made from fossil raw materials.
The 'As and Os' Approach: Your Secret Weapon for Boosting Accountability at Work
In leadership, few principles hold as much weight as accountability. It's the foundation upon which trust, clarity, and empowerment are built. Accountability isn't just about pointing fingers when something goes wrong; it's about being responsible for our actions and behaviors, both individually and collectively.
Why is it so important to belong to a community?
Community comes from the root “common”, which describes something that binds a group of people together – a place they all live in, or common social or cultural characteristics. This first common point extends beyond proximity and leads to a shared identity, values, and a sense of collective responsibility. Communities can be large or small, from close-knit neighborhoods to complex societies. They can last very long or be short-timed.
Marianne Kiskola: Internal climate change – A matter of honor
Philotimo is a Greek word that few know. The word comes from the Greek words "filos," which means friend, and "timi," which means honor. So, translated quickly, the word could be thought to mean 'friend of honor.' And indeed, it is, but also much more. If you are called a philotimos person, you can consider it the highest honor you could receive. It means you are seen as one of the most valuable members of your community.
Local climate leadership is largely about managing collaboration
Cities and municipalities hold the framework for a climate-resilient everyday life: housing, transportation, service networks, and other daily infrastructure. Already 90 percent of Finns live in a municipality that has set a climate goal. According to a recent study by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, the most common climate goal among municipalities is to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2030.
Marianne Kiskola: Internal climate change – A Cultural handbook
Plato once stated that speech is the guiding of souls through words. In Greece, the idea of the power of words on the soul is still known. When a Greek wishes well for someone else, they address them using the most beautiful words they know. They refer to children or youths as dolls or flowers, friends as beloved, men as boys, and women as ladies. They do not send greetings, but kisses.
Marianne Kiskola: Internal climate change – crisis
In Greece, it's believed that a word is not just a word. To understand what we say, we must feel the word. Words are never accidental; they always contain lived reality - wisdom. The word is opened up and its origins (usually from ancient times) are examined. By following the guidance embedded in the word, we discover its historical layers and stories – and thus, the wisdom to act rightly.
Business leaders as champions of democracy – are you in?
Democracy is currently facing its toughest challenges since “government of the people, by the people, for the people” was presented as an alternative to kings and autocrats. Authoritarian movements are strongly raising their heads and we cannot take it for granted that democracy will win the ongoing battle in Western countries. That's why it's important that each of us does our part in the defense of democracy, both as individuals and as communities.
Employees involved in climate action
Climate action is needed so that the Earth remains viable for future generations. The change in business operations is a key part of the sustainability breakthrough. More and more companies are implementing climate measures, for example by measuring and reducing the carbon footprint of their products. Less attention has been paid to how climate actions permeate the entire organization. What is the opportunity for employees to influence and be involved in implementing the organization's climate actions?
What is climate entrepreneurship?
Having a background in entrepreneurship research, I think of climate entrepreneurship above all as a process in which entrepreneurs envision a future that puts less strain on the earth, make the necessary decisions and set the wind on the ground. Climate entrepreneurs are therefore agents of change in society and the economy, who strive to create innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges of climate change.