What’s a tipping point?

“When you have a vision of where you need to go, it sounds utopian. But when you get to the tipping point, your understanding switches.”

Christiana Figueres, former UN Climate Change Executive Secretary

While Emmeline Pankhurst and Martin Luther King, had visions for more inclusive societies, it wasn’t until people marched on the streets and caused waves across social, political and media realms, that local laws, regulations and culture changed.

We are now living in an age that confronts us with multiple tipping points from which we will not return. 

While the wider population appears to recognise the risks that we face, it is clear that people in leadership roles, who can help to steer social change, are not ready for the transformations that we need on a local or global scale.

Perhaps we don’t understand tipping points? Is it a philosophical or emotional dissonance, a lack of knowledge, a disconnect from lived experience or a belief in the power of material and technical innovation that lies at the heart of this misunderstanding?

If you’re interested in communicating tipping points at a strategic level do get in touch and share your ideas.
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