William Beer Reflecting On His Recent Survey | Tunley Environmental

Hello everyone, 

First off, I want to say thank you to all of you who participated in my recent survey on LinkedIn and via email. It’s always fantastic to see such engagement and enthusiasm from the community. For those who missed it, I asked people to weigh in on what they think is the biggest challenge from a business perspective: Climate Change, AI, Security and the Economy. Here is the result: 

So, what Inspired the Poll? 

It’s no secret that we live in an era where these four topics are constantly in the headlines. Whether it’s discussions around the latest AI breakthrough, debates on climate policy, concerns about security (both digital and physical) or the ever-fluctuating state of the economy, these issues are typically front and centre for anyone with a business mindset. I read an article (which I won’t name) that claimed the majority of UK voters in the recent elections main priority was climate change, whilst that would be great I personally could not believe that the average person, in the average streets main focus was climate change. I wanted to get a pulse on what my network and, as an extension, the Tunley network, consider to be the most critical of these issues. 

The Interplay Between Climate Change, AI, Security and the Economy  

One of the most interesting aspects of these topics is how interconnected they are. Let’s take a closer look: 

• Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a significant economic and security one too. Think about how droughts can devastate agriculture, leading to food shortages and increased prices. This can cause economic instability and even lead to increased insecurity as communities struggle to meet basic needs. Moving on the security, droughts, food shortages can result in migration challenges and civil unrest. 

• A stable economy is often a foundation for national and global security. Economic downturns can lead to higher unemployment rates, which in turn can increase crime rates and insecurity. Conversely, a strong economy can fund better security measures and foster a safer environment for businesses to carry out more technological innovations and invest in sustainability. 

• AI is revolutionising many fields, but it’s a double-edged sword when it comes to security. While AI can enhance cybersecurity measures, it can also be used by malicious actors to develop more sophisticated attacks. The balance between leveraging AI for security and protecting against AI-driven threats is delicate. Interestingly AI has the potential to result in economic downturn, take Tunley for example, we are able to require fewer employees due to how we use AI for efficiency, now, we were set up like this so no one lost a job, but across the economy AI is clearly going to be disruptive in the labour market. 

• AI technology can significantly aid in combating climate change by improving energy efficiency, predicting environmental changes and innovating sustainable practices. Ironically, the development and use of AI also require substantial energy, which can contribute to environmental concerns if not managed properly. Case in point, our recent blog article “AI and Climate Change: A Growing Concern?” discusses this in-depth with a particular focus on how tech companies like Google and Microsoft recently attributed their increased GHG emissions to the need to build more data centres for their AI research. However, and it’s a big however, AI can also be used for misinformation and as mentioned could reduce employment rates, both of which mean organisations might have less cash for sustainability objectives, which many organisations see as a discretionary expenditure. 

What Your Answers Tell Me 

Overall, the poll results were quite telling. On LinkedIn, the majority of respondents (60%) identified the economy as the most pressing issue, while the email survey, which included many of our clients involved in sustainability, saw 44% choosing climate change. 

This difference isn’t surprising when you consider the backgrounds of the respondents. Our LinkedIn audience tends to be more business-focused, hence the strong emphasis on the economy. Meanwhile, our newsletter subscribers, who are often deeply involved in sustainability and environmental issues, naturally leaned towards climate change. Interestingly, the economy comes in a close second in the email survey – this suggests that irrespective of our client’s primary interest in sustainability, the ever-present threat of economic downturn remained a prominent challenge. 

Final Thoughts and I am sorry to say…. OPINIONS! 

In the end, the diversity in responses underscores the complex nature of these global issues. It’s clear that our views and priorities are shaped by our experiences and professional backgrounds, and that your perspectives and positions undoubtedly influence how you prioritise these issues. Recognising these interconnections helps us understand that addressing one issue often involves considering its impact on others. 

I was staggered how few participants put AI to the top… I personally believe that AI will (if not already) be so interlinked with our economy and security that it could totally alter the very fabric of how countries, economies and organisations operate which I believe has the potential to significantly impact available cash for decarbonisation. Honestly, I am equally concerned about the impact of climate change and AI on my children’s futures… 

Thank you once again for your participation and insightful feedback. It’s evident that no single issue stands alone, and we must approach these challenges with a holistic mindset. 

Looking forward to continuing this conversation with all of you! 

Best,  

William