The news that the earth’s population has hit 7 billion (Eyewitness: the seven billionth human, 1 November) illustrates once more the dramatic age period we are in. Of that 7 billion, 1 billion will tonight sleep hungry, and that will only rise as the population looks to hit 9 billion by 2050. Half the earth’s population will live under aqua stress by 2030 and species are being lost at rates not seen for 65 million years. While economies are trying to pick up the pieces of recessions exacerbated by corporate greed and speculation, the inquiry of what the prospect looks like comes starkly into view. The answer isn’t clearcut however I believe it is no coincidence that the UN has designated 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives. Our business imitation is again being seen as relevant and contemporary, and the combined turnover of the largest 300 co-operative businesses stands at $1.1tn.We cannot claim to be the panacea for all the earth’s ills. Yet there is a desire within the movement to develop solutions rather than problems. So in Fresh York this week, to coincide with the UN International Year launch, we have announced a fresh global development co-operative scheme to provide much-needed finance to third earth co-operatives for capital and infrastructure projects. And in the UK we are continuing to aid constitute a fresh co-operative venture a day through our enterprise hubs. These initiatives will directly support social enterprise from the bottom up and bring added benefits in the form of increased employment and bigger community engagement opportunities. In a earth searching for fresh thoughts and solutions, bigger co-operation should be a key part of the answer.Paul FlowersChairman, Co-operative Banking GroupCo-operative GroupPopulationguardian.co.uk © 2011 Twitter News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Employ of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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