David Bircher’s Post

If you want to work with one of the best humans I know, take a look at this #London-based role at Mission 44 alongside the incomparable Jamie Elfenbein

Of all the #EarthDay posts today, this piece about a shoplifting octopus was the most profound for me. In large part because it reminded me of what I miss when I limit myself to only problem-solving, information, and metrics. We can neatly package those things into what our world and society values - to show we are “doing.” We need this “doing” to be anchored in more listening, more watching, more experiences. More perspectives. Maybe it’s not an octopus, but think of the wild animal that fills you with the most wonder - a whale, giraffe, maybe an eagle? Or the wild animal you take most for granted - a deer, a rabbit, or the finches’ nest outside your window. What if that creature took your camera? What if took your camera - and you - back to its home and community? And then what if it snapped a photo of you rather than the other way around? What would it look like? And how would you see yourself differently? Imagine it after you read this opinion piece. And then imagine a planet without that creature - what would you do to protect it? Intellectualising our world is a beautiful, creative part of being human. So is connecting to our world emotionally - and the other creatures that share it alongside us. Just like we grow when we engage more deeply with one another, I’m convinced our habits and thinking would change immensely with our planet if we engaged with it more wholeheartedly. On its own terms. ———— “So much of our modern world seems designed to tame us: to dull our minds, to separate us from the natural world… We can break free of this tame conditioning. When we dedicate even just a few minutes per day to observing wild creatures on their own terms, in their own homes, regardless of where we live, we connect with the concept of biodiversity not simply on an intellectual level but also on an emotional level. We see the world differently — and ourselves, too.”

Fantastic to see WeForest 🌿's project with AES Brasil and Ceiba Consultoria featured by UNEP-WCMC! The #AtlanticForest - once 6x the size of the UK - spans #Brazil, #Argentina, and #Paraguay. Only 30% of its fragmented tree canopy remains, and yet it holds ~5% of our world's #species. On top of that, the Atlantic Forest biome is home to the sources of drinking #water for 70% of Brazilians. There are countless other #forests and #ecosystems that many of us have never heard of or engaged with - but they are absolutely critical. That's why at WeForest 🌿 we're fighting not only for recognisable forests like the #Amazon, but also the overlooked ecosystems that are vital for the health of #People. #Nature. and #Climate. 📖 Read the #UNEP highlight here: https://lnkd.in/e5ekF3Yy

Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago that I started off my career as a teacher in the basement classroom of a Manhattan middle school with Teach For America (Teach For All). That's part of the reason I was so thrilled to be invited by Jennifer Harpur to give a few seminars at Toulouse School of Economics on "Capital for the Commons: Collaboration for Authentic Environmental and Social Progress." I wasn't disappointed 🙌 It was such a pleasure to be in front of curious economics students - and to pull them a bit away from the avalanche of math and calculations. Young people are hungry to solve problems and connect the dots between their lives, the #environment, the #economy, and social #progress. We should encourage this more and provide the space and tools to let them dream, innovate, and test ideas. On a personal note, I often find myself drawn to the big events and thought leaders. It's where many of us place #value - and these global events, conferences, platforms, and speakers are important. At the same time, I'm always the most impressed and inspired at the ground-level - with the people and teams doing the work and living the reality. I hope my time at #TSE helped students bridge the matrix of #sustainability terms and econ jargon with this ground-level, real-world #impact. For my part, it was a real honor to be in conversation with you all. Merci encore!

Concerned about #greenwashing? Generally interested in how #tech and #transparency on environmental and social issues can impact your choices as a consumer? Look no further! My colleague and friend, Jessica Chalmers, will be leading a Webinar on the topic with WeForest 🌿's partner explorer.land by OpenForests on Thursday, 20 March. We'd love to see you there! Sign-up in the link below.

We all know it’s the people that make an organisation - and, at WeForest 🌿, I’m lucky enough to work with the absolute best team. Fainess Lumbwe, Zambia Country Director, and Dr Natasha Watts, our Head of Project Development, are two incredible minds at the forefront of #nature restoration, which puts #equity at its heart. If you’re joining the Accelerating Nature-based Solutions Conference this week in #Zambia, I recommend taking a moment to connect with them!

Next week my incredible colleague and WeForest 🌿 #Ethiopia Country Director, Aklilu Negussie Mekuria (PhD), will be hosting a seminar online and at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Addis Ababa. Diving into the intersection of poverty reduction and landscape #restoration along the #GreatGreenWall, it will bring together a range of local and regional stakeholders. The Horn of Africa and the Sahel are on the frontlines of #climatechange - experiencing increased food insecurity, drought, and desertification. Take a look and sign-up below ⬇️

LinkedIn hive, I'm hiring! We're looking for a new Impact Partnerships Manager to accelerate WeForest 🌿's direct impact on #People, #Nature, and #Climate. 🌳 Here’s what makes WeForest 🌿 extraordinary: - #Comprehensive: We go beyond planting trees. We’re about nurturing ecosystems, biodiversity, and economies for lasting impact. - #Locallyowned: Our success lies in our local communities, and our holistic model is tailored to each forest and each partner community around the world. - #Trustworthy: Our methods are rooted in data, verification, and designed to create real, measurable change. 🤝 Your Role: - You are the bridge-builder: a storyteller with experience in philanthropy, programme, and M&E who can #connect, #inspire, and #mobilise resources. - You can see the forest through the trees: champion holistic solutions and #connectthedots across our geographies, projects, and KPIs. - You are #innovative and #proactive: you turn vision into action into revenue. See the link below to apply. Reposts are welcomed to spread the word :)