Winter 2021
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Leo Tolstoy While the health crisis continues to impact society in more ways than we could have imagined, the effects of climate change will disrupt our lives on an even greater scale, and for the foreseeable future. Unlike the pandemic, which will hopefully one day end with the advent of a vaccine, climate change cannot be remedied in one shot. This Philanthropy Letter is dedicated to voices that advocate for innovation and change, offering hope against the sobering outlook that climate change presents to us today. Yann Arthus-Bertrand has dedicated his life to capturing the beauty of our planet through photography and film. In doing so, he has become a prominent voice for reducing man’s ecological footprint. In the interview he granted us, he encourages each of us to take meaningful action in our own lives. Transitioning to new energy sources is also critical, and philanthropic support of innovative research plays a key role in this field. The SECuRE project, supported by the Fondation Enovos, is one example, as described by Thomas Kallstenius, CEO of the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology in his article. Meanwhile, investment strategies are increasingly taking the climate into c onsideration. Don Gerristen of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment explains the many opportunities that climate-conscious investment policies can offer asset owners, and particularly foundations. Finally, we hear from a few of the many generous donors who have contributed to the Fondation COVID-19, created under our aegis in response to the urgency of the health crisis this past spring. The events of this year have led many of us to pursue deeper reflection on issues such as climate change and the vulnerability of our civilization. Going forward, let us hope that these considerations will lead to a more interconnected and humane society. We wish you a pleasant reading, Tonika Hirdman
2 Voir la verité en face : Le changement climatique à l’ère du COVID 4 Climate Emergency: Research to the rescue 5 Three questions for Fondation Enovos
6 Foundations can reap the benefits of harnessing ESG 8 Fondation COVID-19 donors tell us about their motivations to contribute