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2 July 2020

Climate Action: Humanity’s priority on the International Day of Cooperatives

On the first Saturday of July, every year, the International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated as a way of giving visibility to the work of cooperatives and calling for their action. This year the chosen theme is "Cooperatives for climate action".

Obviously, 2020 is not a year like any other. In the midst of a pandemic that affects the whole world, it may seem that any other priority has to be relativized and even removed, but it cannot be so.

It is accepted that, in the short term, the actions of all, including cooperatives, are aimed at combating Covid-19 and guaranteeing public health. But that does not mean that we can forget about the other challenges facing humanity, of which climate change is undoubtedly the greatest and most urgent.

In many ways, the pandemic and the climate crisis are similar: they affect the whole world, without exception; its consequences are more devastating for more vulnerable groups; in addition to threatening people’s lives and health, they also threaten the economy and social structure; and both highlight inequalities.

The big difference, of course, is that the effects of the pandemic are immediate, while those produced by climate change will be felt over many years.

But there is another important difference: while, in the case of Covid-19, a vaccine is already being tested that, hopefully, will eradicate the disease, as has happened with others in the past, and that will allow us to return to a normal life, even if not at 100%, there is no vaccine for climate change. The solution to this challenge is more complex and requires very different actions by all people, institutions and organizations, including cooperatives.

To combat climate change, a joint effort, with solidarity and mutual assistance, is necessary, which are, precisely, principles and structural values of cooperativism.

For this reason, cooperatives not only can act, but have an obligation to do more and better to combat climate change. They have to set an example and lead by their performance, not just by words.

It is necessary to avoid falling into the trap of saying that cooperatives are, by nature, sustainable companies and, with this, believe that they will do what is expected of them. The nature of cooperatives is undoubtedly prone to economic, social and environmental sustainability, but this does not necessarily mean that their actions reflect this nature. For this, it is necessary to continue to inform, educate and encourage members, workers and leaders to act with the perspective that combating climate change is a priority, even in times of pandemic. An active effort must be made for cooperative companies to operate in the market according to their nature of sustainability.

On this International Day of Cooperatives, we praise their work in favor of the environment and the many examples that will be given. But we must also be more demanding and call for cooperatives to do more and better for the climate and, ultimately, for humanity.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect the views of PromoCoop and its partners.