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The power of conscious decision-making

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Originally posted here.

Sarah Savory

Between Thought and Action: The Power Lies in Our Decisions

A Journey from Reductionism to Holism

Humans, along with all other tool-using animals, share an inherited decision-making process that predisposes us to decide our actions in a simple context.

However, unlike other tool-using species, humans developed advanced tools, which resulted in us adding complex economic and environmental factors to the once only simple, social considerations of our actions – the considerations, or context, of our decisions had become complex.

While we all have the ability to think holistically, this inherited process is the reason we have been unable to ensure our actions match our thoughts.

People have long understood our complex connections to nature, often applying a holistic approach, or using whole-systems thinking, or the triple bottom line, etc, and sometimes we will develop a vision or values statement for our businesses, communities, or projects.

While people will often approach an action, practice or policy thinking about the full complexity, between thought and action there must be a decision – and that is where the cause of our complex problems lies – when it comes to deciding our actions, all of us automatically reduce the action down into the ‘simpler’ context of whatever social, economic or environmental need, desire or problem we are wanting to address.

This inherited habit confines us to linear, or reductionist, decisions – which means that, whether we are buying a loaf of bread, or deciding on a policy action for an entire country, we are always deciding our actions in the incomplete context of either the social, economic or environmental need, desire or problem we have, without being able to see or consider the full, complex considerations of the action.

Doing this has resulted in continuously meeting short-term objectives at huge long-term expense – because each incomplete, or reductionist, decision causes an inevitable, but invisible, ripple effect across all the inseparable, complex connections.

The Solution to Our Global Issues Lies in the Context Guiding our Actions:

The context of the decision is crucial when we are considering any action because it is the reason that guides and determines what action we take.

So, instead of dividing our decisions into simple contexts, we must learn to develop and use one, broad, complete context to guide our actions – and the more information guiding the action, the easier it becomes to check the potential short and long-term outcomes – and prevent ourselves from meeting short-term objectives at long-term expense.

A broader context (which reflects the fact that our social and economic stability are connected to environmental health) is essential to successful decision-making.

While ‘holistic’ or whole-systems approaches remain theoretical, The Holistic Management Framework distinguishes itself by providing a new process (based on Jan Smut’s theory of Holism) which involves the practical application of a broad, complete context to proactively guide each action – consequences can only occur from what we do, not from our approaches, plans or thoughts.

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Unlike a general vision or value statement, a Holistic Context ensures each action is adapted to the unique, and complex circumstances it will impact – always dynamically assessing the potential consequences.

By adopting this framework, there is a complete paradigm-shift in our management and the consequences of our actions – we can shift humanity from reactive decision-making in the linear context of our needs, desires or problems, to proactive decision-making addressing our needs, desires and problems in a Holistic Context – applying a consistently dynamic process that is adaptable and responsive to the ever-changing and unique complexities of our real-life situations.

Summary

While a vision statement/holistic approach can provide direction, it still leads to linear decision-making, but using a Holistic Context is a profound shift and comprehensive guide for continuous navigation, ensuring that decisions are guided by an awareness of, and respect for the full, complex web of factors involved in each action – using this process guarantees a consistent increase in social, economic and environmental stability.

~ Sarah Savory

Images and information taken from my new, educational workbook – Never Lose Sight of Your Elephant – And Your Decisions Will Change the World!

If you are in the US and would like a copy of the workbook here is the link…and if you are in Europe or the UK you can go here and if you are in Zimbabwe you can get copies from me!

 

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INSIGHTS

Is COP Kicking the can further down the road…again?

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COP must evolve with the times, or go down the abyss of irrelevancy.

 

COP 30 lands in Belém, a vulnerable Amazon city, Nov 10–21, 2025. The host nation hopes to spotlight deforestation, Indigenous rights, and climate inequity. Brazil plans to launch the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)—a proposed $125 billion blended‑finance fund to reward forest conservation.


What’s at risk

  • Affordability crisis: Belém has ~18,000 hotel beds for ~45,000 expected attendees. Room rates surged to $700–$2,000/night. Developing nations may be shut out.) Brazil has deployed cruise ships and capped rates for poorer countries—but gaps remain.
  • Credibility gap: A new highway cutting through protected rainforest (Avenida Liberdade) contradicts the summit’s conservation message—even though officials deny federal involvement.
  • Fossil fuel influence: COP media deal awarded to PR firm Edelman, which also represents Shell—sparking conflict concerns.

Why it may just “kick the can”

  • Progress stalled in Bonn: Critical texts—like the Just Transition Work Programme and the Gender Action Plan—are underpowered, with weakening language on Indigenous and gender justice. Negotiations postponed to Belém.
  • Ambitious goals, low political will: The annual climate finance scale-up roadmap to $1.3 trillion by 2035 lacks binding commitments. Most countries’ updated NDCs remain underwhelming.
  • Logistical chaos: Thousands of civil society, women groups, and youth may be excluded by cost and infrastructure constraints, undermining representation.

Why it still matters

  • Location is symbolic: Holding COP in the Amazon aims to humanize climate action, not sanitize it in luxury venues.
  • TFFF could deliver: If fully funded by COP or 2026, the forest conservation fund could redefine climate finance.
  • Health in focus: A WHO-led Climate & Health conference in Brasília is shaping a Health Action Plan for COP, embedding public health in climate policy.

Bottom line

COP 30 has the potential for impact—but so far, optics risk overshadowing outcomes. High costs, diluted ambition, fossil-fuel influence, and delayed mechanisms could make Belém another kickoff, not a game changer. Unless financial pledges and rights-centered action materialize, COP 30 may merely defer real climate solutions to the next summit.

 

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INSIGHTS

Understanding the Brazil Golden Visa Program

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As people in America–and worldwide–are rethinking their residencies, Brazil offers a unique opportunity.

Why it matters

Brazil’s investor visa (VIPER), launched in 2018 and expanded in 2025, offers straight to permanent residency, family inclusion, and a path to citizenship in ~4 years. Designed to attract foreign capital, it’s one of Latin America’s most competitive options.

✅ Pros

  • Low investment threshold: BRL 700K (~USD 140K) in the North/Northeast; BRL 1 M (~USD 200K) in other regions.
  • Fast processing: Approval typically in 3–6 months.
  • Minimal stay requirement: Spend just ~14 days every 2 years in Brazil to maintain residency.(
  • Path to citizenship: Apply after 4 years of residency; dual nationality allowed.
  • Family included: Spouse and dependents can join under the same investment.
  • Access to MERCOSUR: Freedom to live/work across South America and access public services locally.

❌ Cons & caveats

  • Capital-intensive: Though cheaper than many EU programs, still requires upfront investment.
  • Low liquidity: Must hold qualifying property or business for residency status.
  • Complex documentation: Must transfer funds through formal Brazilian banks; property deed must be fully registered.
  • Tax implications: Residents become Brazilian tax-liable; must file global income.
  • Risk & bureaucracy: Mistakes in property purchase or application can lead to denial.

⚙️ How it works

  1. Choose investment route:
    • Real estate: BRL 1M (~USD 200K), or BRL 700K in North/Northeast.
    • Business investment: As low as BRL 150K (~USD 30K) if it creates jobs or invests in tech.
  2. Acquire property or company with clean title in urban region.
  3. Transfer funds via central‑bank‑approved channels.
  4. Apply via MigrantWeb and attend a brief visit (~30 days in-country).
  5. Receive temp residency (2–4 years), then upgrade to permanent if holding the investment.
  6. Citizenship after residency plus Portuguese proficiency and clean record.

Real-world impact

  • Stimulates foreign investment into Brazilian real estate and startups.
  • Helps diversify global mobility: Dual citizens gain visa-free access to ~171 countries.
  • Competitive edge: Lower thresholds than Spain, Portugal, and others, with faster timelines and better climate

Who should consider it

  • Remote workers or retirees seeking affordable residency in Latin America
  • Investors looking for second passports or access to Mercosur markets
  • Entrepreneurs or families seeking global mobility and alternate residency options

Bottom line

Brazil’s Golden Visa isn’t just another residency-by-investment program—it’s a strategic gateway to permanent residency, citizenship, and regional access, at competitive cost and with minimal residency obligations.

Whether you’re buying property in Recife or launching a startup in São Paulo, Brazil offers a forward-facing bridge for global citizens—without the EU price tag.

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INSIGHTS

We don’t do “that” anymore!

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America’s public media system is stuck in a time warp — built for a world that no longer exists.


Back then…

When the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) was founded in 1967, there was:

  • ❌ No internet
  • ❌ No YouTube
  • ❌ No MP3s or MP4s
  • ❌ No smartphones
  • ❌ No TikTok, file sharing, livestreams, or global DIY distribution

NPR, PBS, and local community stations were born in the age of vinyl and rabbit ears — and many still operate like it’s 1975.

The old model

  • Broadcast licenses → transmit radio/TV signals
  • Federal subsidies + pledge drives → fund operations
  • Audience = passive receivers
    All built for one-to-many media when the internet has made everyone a node.

The new reality

Welcome to media in motion:

  • Creators self-distribute across platforms
  • Real-time news spreads peer-to-peer
  • Audiences expect participation, not programming
  • Livestreams, podcasts, and video-on-demand rule attention

It’s horse and buggy vs the electric car, and too much of public media is still shoveling hay.

Why it matters

Then Now
Top-down Peer-to-peer
Static schedules On-demand, everywhere
Centralized stations Decentralized communities
Annual pledge drives Micro-giving, crowdfunding, subscriptions

We can’t build the future with our minds in the past. Yet too much of public media clings to legacy systems, dated org charts, and siloed content.

What’s being lost

  • Entire generations under 40 have no relationship with public radio or TV
  • Community voices, diverse stories, and local impact are drowned out by outdated delivery
  • Opportunity for global collaboration, multilingual content, and co-creation is missed

Public media could be a participatory ecosystem — but instead, it’s often a museum exhibit of what media used to be.

What’s next

✅ Shift from broadcast to networked ecosystems
✅ Enable community-owned media nodes
✅ Train creators in digital-first storytelling
✅ Embrace open-source, global collaboration
✅ Reimagine the CPB as a commons infrastructure, not a broadcast subsidy

Bottom line

We don’t do that anymore.

Public media must evolve—or become irrelevant. This is not business as usual. It’s time to flip the script—before the last station fades to static.

 

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