How do you want to be remembered?
Small choices are the key to big impact.
We stood looking down at the Mer de Glace (the sea of ice) near Mont Blanc in France. It is the largest remaining glacier in the Western Alps, an enormous white, meandering tongue of ice surrounded by grey rock.
We had the privilege of listening to Luc Moreana, a passionate glaciologist who dedicates his summers to sharing the glacier’s story. With a blend of data, graphs, and years of research, he painted a sobering picture of the glacier’s rapid retreat. Over the past 35 years, it has lost 160 metres in depth – 30 metres in just the last decade.
While Luc acknowledged that the glacier’s depth was at this level in the Middle Ages, he revealed the stark acceleration of melting since the Industrial Revolution. The graphs didn’t just tell a story; they screamed a warning. Below us, construction crews were busy adding yet another extension to the steps leading down to the glacier’s ever-shifting level—a poignant reminder of nature’s retreat.
Even more alarming, 76 glaciers have vanished entirely in France over the last 30 years. Standing there, surrounded by breathtaking views and stark realities, we couldn’t help but reflect on the urgency of protecting what’s left. It wasn’t just sobering – it was a call to action. And maybe like me, your heart sinks reading this. Is this irreversible? Is it too late?
The words of Robert Kegan (author of work on Adult Development) came back to me. “All species are wired to survive”. And yet he says we (humans) are in peril and we know that we are in peril. “We are the only species arranging our own demise and conscious of it”… we are knowingly authoring our own extinction. It’s painful to hear, to write, and to read. It’s easier to ignore it or deny it’s happening – it’s just too big. Surely someone else will sort it, won’t they?
AND, as we stood there and listened, our glaciologist said he was optimistic about our capacity to bring about change (‘really?’ I thought). President Macron had visited the exact same spot just weeks before, and the glaciologist made his point clear. “Monsieur Macron, everything comes down to business. But there is no business without a planet.” Rather than appealing to future generations (he thought this might not resonate deeply for a man with no children), he evoked the legacy of 17th-century French statesman Jean-Baptiste Colbert.
He reminded him of the famous 17th-century French historical statesman, Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Colbert understood that France’s naval power relied on high quality timber. He mandated the planting and management of forests to ensure a sustainable source of wood for future ships. This visionary thinking ensured France’s strength for centuries and cemented Colbert’s place in history. The French remember and honour him still. Then he asked the president “Monsieur Macron. How do you want to be remembered?”.
Two weeks later I read that the French government announced new environmental goals, and I couldn’t help but wonder how much of a role that conversation played…
As a coach, I know that significant personal transformation in my clients rarely comes from big, dramatic changes. It’s the accumulation of tiny changes in habit, moments of choice and small incremental gains that lead to growth. Often the full extent of the shifts isn’t clear until we look back together after months of working together.
So, how can we apply this approach to tackling such a monumental challenge that is our planet?
First set your intention. These 2 questions might help you shape your vision and goal:
- ‘How do I want to be remembered?’
- ‘What world do I want to leave for future generations?’
Then imagine if each of us used this to guide our tiny moments of choice and change – creating ripples that become waves. What if each day or week, you decided to make one small choice, one small change that would help future generations and the world?
If, like me, you have a desire to more actively contribute to leaving our world breathing more freely, let’s talk. I’m purely driven by curiosity and building an understanding of your views, concerns, and experiences to better get a grip on how to shape actionable solutions. There’s no hidden agenda – just an invitation for an open conversation. To jointly listen, share and learn. Do get in touch
(PS I was inspired to create a representation of the Mer Blanche in fabric – memories of that fun, creative day stay with me and inspire me to act).
