Imagine5

We tapped our team to share some of the tiny ways they’re making eco-friendly changes in their lives. Next up, our US Partnerships Manager, Madeleine Murphy, thrifts her new dining room table, proving you don’t need something new for it to be nice!

Some thoughts on recent news (and a dose of optimism) from our US Managing Director Justin Cadelago. There’s no denying that we’re living in uncertain times - we’ve experienced back-to-back years of record-breaking temperatures, we’re seeing extreme weather events become increasingly more frequent in our own backyards, and we’re hearing troubling news of our elected officials rolling back critical climate policies when bold action is needed. And yet, in the face of these challenges, holding onto hope and choosing optimism feels more important than ever. Why? Because optimism isn’t just a mindset—it’s a catalyst for action. And action is the only way forward if we want to create a better, more sustainable future for generations to come.  Today we’re excited to share our new 3-part series, How to Become a Climate Optimist, in collaboration with author, speaker, and Imagine5 Global Voice, Anne Therese Gennari. Together, we’ll explore what it truly means to be a climate optimist, how to channel anger into opportunity, and how optimism can empower practical solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. For Anne Therese, it’s all about reframing the narrative around the challenges we face, “so that we can act with courage, curiosity and excitement, instead of getting stuck in anxiety and fear….The action part is essential because to be and remain a climate optimist, you must participate in the changes you wish to see.” How to Become a Climate Optimist is now live at Imagine5.com

Our Joint Editor, Anne-Marie Hoeve shares some background on our newest story, “For the Penguins” – find the link to the full story in the comments. “I studied Literature at uni so I could spend the whole time reading fiction and these days there’s still nothing I love more than a good story. Especially when it’s a good story about the climate. Like this one. It’s called For the penguins and when I first came across it I knew: I HAD to feature it in our Imagine5 magazine. (I even spent a year trying to track down the writer). Why did I want to share it so badly? Because it made me laugh. And humor and the climate isn’t a common combination (for obvious reasons). What I love about this story is that the main character isn’t a saint, living the perfect sustainable life. He originally was only interested in the climate because of “his placard-wielding girlfriend”, he admits. It’s all so recognizably human. A story of being flawed and imperfect, of trying to hold on to the one you love and do the right thing and say the right things and recycle and get to grips with tofu and still sneak in “a weekly greasy kebab”’ while trying to do our best in a world that’s changing under our feet as we speak. And on top of that… penguins! I hope you like this story as much as I do.” 

It's Blue Monday, but this year, together with Clear Channel Nederland, we're putting a positive spin on what some call the most depressing day of the year! 🌍✨ Through a nationwide campaign across high schools and universities, we're helping students across the Netherlands to hit pause for a moment and take care of themselves. Think soothing meditations, a playlist with nature sounds, and inspiring messages that put mental health front and center. “The mental pressure on young people is immense, and we are happy to use our media impact for this wonderful project," says Wierish Debipersad, Commercial Director at Clear Channel. "This collaboration demonstrates how Clear Channel's technology and the positive impact we strive to create as a Platform for Good can go hand in hand." "Imagine5 believes that connecting with nature is a powerful way to reduce stress and promote well-being," adds Melle Bos, Chief Engagement Officer at Imagine5. "As a parent, I see firsthand how children struggle with all the triggers and changes happening in the world around them. Even as an adult, it’s difficult to step back and stay positive, and for young people, it’s even more challenging. With this joint campaign, we not only want to raise awareness among young people about the importance of taking time for themselves but also provide them with practical tools to strengthen their mental health." Curious about the full story? Read the full story (in Dutch) here: https://lnkd.in/ePNK3M5B

When Daniel Flendt Dreesen set out to interview David Zilber, he spent, in his words, "much more time than what’s professionally sound." But like the best kombuchas, most good things take time. Read on for Daniel's experience interviewing Noma's former lead fermenter: David is a world famous chef, fermenter, Novonesis application scientist and fashion icon who stars on television productions like Canada’s Top Chef and Pamela Anderson’s upcoming Cooking with Love. But who also finds the time to review brainy non-fiction on his Instagram followed by 140K. I knew that I was entering trippy territory. But where an educated journalist might have steered clear of dreaded complexity and overtime, my background in philosophy urged me to just embrace riffing on cosmic interconnectedness with a person who weighs his words more carefully than anyone I’ve ever met You don’t get to have those conversations too often. Although I could have approached the job “more effectively”, take a moment to consider the unseen work that goes into quality storytelling. My conversation with David Zilber lasted 90 minutes. But was eventually boiled down to a tenth of that. And we had a wonderfully talented photographer; Letizia Cigliutti, visit David in his lab to experiment with imagery echoing the theme of symbiosis. So much good stuff had to be peeled off this story, leaving only the heart of the artichoke. For instance, David’s reminiscing about Dinosaur Jr. - the 90s indie band - didn’t make the cut. Although I had intended to end the interview with the title of their masterpiece: You’re Living All Over Me. Apt for a text meant as a love letter to bacteria. Read Daniel's full interview with David at the link in the comments below.

We are very excited to have Margaretha Hoek join us on our journey - thanks to London Daily News for the write up!

Do you think that businesses can be catalysts for positive change? At Imagine5, this is a huge part of our ethos. We focus on telling stories about ways that people and organizations can contribute to a healthier planet and a better society for all. So it only makes sense that we partner with Margaretha Hoek, who literally wrote the book on integrating purpose into leadership and business strategy. If you haven’t already come across one of her TEDx talks, speeches at leadership conferences, or one of her books, we’re happy to introduce you to her now. Marga is a three-time CEO, a globally recognized thought leader in sustainable business and innovation, and she embodies this ethos with her constant ‘can do’ mentality and positive approach. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of business, Marga believes that companies can be a force for good—part of the solution, not the problem. Marga is joining Imagine5’s Global Voices team – a group of hand-selected individuals who will maintain a strategic partnership and contribute thought leadership content, participate in Imagine5’s storytelling initiatives, and engage with our community. “Joining Imagine5 is a logical match as we're both firm believers in the power of positive change, but together we can have way more impact by bringing stories and inspiring real-life examples to millions of people around the globe,” says Marga. “That is exactly what people need right now to feel empowered to bring about the positive change we need." We’ll be back soon with more from Marga!

Is this particular person worrying about the climate? Probably. After all, globally, 80% of us want leaders to do more on climate change, according a huge survey by the United Nations. But while people may be thinking this, fewer are saying it. In the US, 64% of people say they’re worried about climate change, according to surveys by Yale. But only 36% say they talk about it ‘at least occasionally’. Other studies have highlighted how we massively underestimate other people’s willingness to take action for the climate. So we stay quiet. As a result, business leaders and politicians don’t see the support that exists for bolder policies. Time to break the cycle! How do you find it talking about climate? What are your tips for productive conversations on the topic?

ATTN: brands, media companies, and creators: You don’t need to have an impact mission to step up during a crisis. Here are a few examples of the incredible work being done. You can find offers and info on their company websites. Los Angeles Chargers: are donating $200,000 to the American Red Cross and the LA Fire Department Foundation. Uber / Lyft: Offering free rides to residents affected by the wildfires. Airbnb: Providing temporary housing for those displaced by the fires. Vrbo: Issuing refunds to guests who need to cancel their stays, with no penalty to hosts. DoorDash: Contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in disaster relief and community credits. Planet Fitness: Opening their facilities to residents, first responders, and anyone impacted by the fires. sweetgreen: Providing meals to those in need. Bobbie: Offering free subscriptions for infant formula to parents whose homes have been destroyed, regardless of prior membership. Citizens of Humanity Group: Setting up a clothing donation center at their downtown L.A. showroom. Shake Shack and Joe's Pizza LA are offering free meals to fire firefighters and first responders. Many local, small businesses have transformed their spaces into shelters for those in need. LA based content creators Kristy Drutman, Isaias Hernandez, Lauren Bash, Summer Dean, and others have been sharing vital information to help residents navigate this challenging time. A heartfelt thank you to those leveraging their platforms to support people affected by the LA wildfires. If I missed anything, please share additional info in the comments

We tapped our team to share some of the tiny ways they’re making eco-friendly changes in their lives. Our Director of Storytelling, Nicolai Hansson (ft. Cookie the Cat), repairs his wares! 👟