AS I sat in a room in the historic Robert Burns Ellisland Farm outside Dumfries preparing to give a talk, I closed my eyes absorbing a dreamlike moment.
My view was that of a lovely gathered group with alert eyes above masks and that of a screen full of faces online. I also looked straight at a window through which I saw vibrant autumn colours and the powerful and peaceful currents of the River Nith.
It was in this same room that Robert and Jean slept, and children were born and played. It was out the same window that I peered that they would have gazed and taken a breath of inspiration, even sought answers and solace as they together ploughed the soil of life.
I have been in Scotland for several weeks listening to and speaking with communities and people across the nation as part of a visit to support existing links, forge fresh connections, spotlight best practices, and enhance dialogue between Scotland and the Americas.
I have been meeting with universities, colleges, primary schools, charities, businesses, elected officials, civil servants, chambers of commerce, agriculture and science researchers, art institutions, sporting facilities, and care centres.
Not a day has passed without some type of inspiration, and a genuine feeling of gratitude for the people I have spoken with face to face, and the places I have set foot upon. As the holiday of Thanksgiving approaches in America, I express sincere thanks for this time in Scotland.
Of course, COP26 was a backdrop while I have been here. I hope the world has come see Scotland and the UK as leaders when it comes to the climate change emergency. Prior to COP26, the UK had set ambitious climate change targets to reduce emissions by 78 percent by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. It was fitting that Scotland served as the backdrop for this historic COP26 since Scotland has been leading the way with a determined plan to reach net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045. The Glasgow Pact that was secured does offer genuine and tangible steps that propel the world forward in limiting global heating to 1.5C. To say there is ‘much work to be done,’ is to understate the sheer amount of work that remains. However, our eyes are open and we are moving down a path leading ahead.
There is another climate emergency that also requires global attention for the sake of our children and the well-being of future generations. This is the rising temperatures of divisive political and social rhetoric. In some chambers, halls of government, and at political rallies, we have witnessed a divisive tone crossing the line of common decency.
I draw hope as I have seen certain political leaders and public servants from across parties consciously cool tensions for the sake of unity to achieve common green goals. Over the course of the last few weeks, I have spoken face to face with SNP members, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour, Greens, Republicans, and Democrats. In each case, I have come away motivated. I have also found they have actively listened to my perspectives.
One message I have conveyed to any public servant or elected official is a clear and sincere thank you for their service. I had made that goal to do so in the wake of the tragic death of Sir David Amess just days before I arrived in London.
I believe goodwill breads goodwill, and where there is goodwill, good policy and deeper collaborative action follows. Where there is combative and insulting rhetoric designed to undermine cohesion, we the people of the world lose out on the potential of what could be achieved.
As I reflect on that view out the window at Ellisland, I consider the window through which we ponder Scotland’s and the world’s future. The visit to Scotland has renewed in me that connections between people are powerful. If we are alert to the daily positives around us, we enliven hope and gratitude within ourselves. And in kindling that spirit, we spark in others the flame of optimism, and then that light pilots the common good. Burns penned the phrase at Ellisland “a cup o’ kindness” in Auld Lang Syne. As people and leaders live by that motto of friendship and goodwill, we will witness real change in addressing what ails us and better advance the positive impact our children deserve.
Ian Houston is president of the Scottish Business Network in the US/Americas and SBN Ambassador in Washington, DC. He is also a GlobalScot.
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