Skip to content
This article first appeared in our Earth Day 2023 issue of My Green Pod Magazine, published on 22 April 2023. Click here to subscribe to our digital edition and get each issue delivered straight to your inbox
We live in unprecedented times, where the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and the destruction of our environment demands action from every individual, business and community around the world.
Unfortunately, the annual gatherings of the global elite have failed to deliver meaningful action, prompting the question: how can ordinary people take control of the dialogue shaping the future health of our planet?
One answer has come from Stephen Fern, founder of global environmental movement ARK2030. ‘I wanted to democratise access to the world’s leading experts in a pioneering online global summit, bringing together ordinary people, NGOs, community and business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics and financiers’, Stephen tells us. ‘The goal is to engage every stakeholder in addressing the existential threat to our planet, and participating in meaningful dialogue with the intention of creating actionable programmes which can be delivered by a million Global Villages all over the world.’
The concept of an online Global Summit was brought to life using a technology platform built by Flox.
The result is a pioneering virtual world that will enable millions of people to take part in a five-day programme in November 2023, shortly ahead of COP28.
‘We see this as a ‘People’s COP’, where the agenda is driven by the needs of the planet rather than the global elite who are intent on destroying it’, Stephen explains.
The Summit’s programme will be delivered across a Main Stage, five Themed Stages and 25 Global Villages, and will focus on the delivery of the five pillars of the Ark Mission (see below).
The Ark 2030 Mission
Create funding programmes capable of delivering $100bn a year into nature-based solutions, ensuring that every dollar is accounted for and the impact of every dollar is measured.
Deploy $1trn over 10 years for the restoration of the 500 million hectares of the planet that have been destroyed by mankind since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Invest in the companies that will turn back the dial on the climate crisis.
Educate 50 million SMEs to embed net positive values into their business.
Engage 1 million communities worldwide in the Ark Global Village Programme – inspiring, informing and guiding every individual, school, business and community to take action.
For the World Upshift Movement, deep transformational social change starts from within.
Dr Kinari Webb, founder of Health In Harmony, explains how a planetary health approach could heal the Earth.
Sadhguru, founder of non-profit spiritual organisation Isha Foundation, explains the science and technology for inner wellbeing.
The programme helping individuals to effect change in their work, political and personal lives.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?
