AFCCC chairman's new year message offers a change in direction and hope for those in need
AFCCC's hopes for 2022 by Chairman Mark Mitchell
Inspired by www.100people.org, we share this video which puts global issues into a perspective everyone can easily understand. It is recommended you watch this video in conjunction with Mark's thoughts for 2022.
Contemplating the plans for the AFCCC this year is, once again, not that simple. 2022 looks like being another year full of time and travel challenges that may stop us from doing some of the physical activities that are on our table.
Nonetheless, we still need to approach the year to do whatever we can, no matter the circumstance, to find ways of improving the cold chain by providing guidance and helping others.
When the clock ticked over at midnight on New Year's eve, I contemplated the 100 People planet concept, which thanks to www.100people.org and World Economic Forum, puts some of the heartburning challenges we face into perspective. It’s a powerful way to look at some of the alarming percentages we need to pay attention to, especially the imbalances when it comes to food and water. [check out the short video]
It is quite clear to me that so much could be solved if we could shift and repurpose resources from economies or communities not in need, to those which are perhaps on the brink or in dire need of help. Surely this must be a key focus.
In a 100 People world it is clear we must get fresh water to the 13 who don't have it, not more for the 87 who have plenty; or more food to the 17 who are starving or undernourished, not more to 87 who have plenty to eat.
This is not a new idea. Balancing the have and have-not concept in society has been promulgated by far more esteemed thinkers than I am. My yearly frustrations exist in the fact that we know those economies or communities that are less fortunate or in need, and for sure not all can be solved – but we need more action, more can-dos, more solutions, especially in an industry such as ours which is brimming with technology and possibilities.
The cold chain, like so many other aspects of our society, is bloated in its many forms in the developed countries but sits in a vacuum in too many economies that are in great need of an efficient cold chain. Perhaps the big answer lies in the fact that 99 of us are ready for action, but only one of us controls 50% of the money. So I wonder if it’s time to stop thinking globally and just try to help people locally, no matter where they are.