Taking part in The Week was a meaningful experience for me. I already knew a lot about climate change, but watching everything together with time to think, discuss, and imagine the future, made me reflect more deeply on my own feelings and my role in this crisis.
Day 1
The first day showed the main problems we face: melting ice, extreme weather, and the lack of strong political action. While the situation is serious, my main takeaway aligns with what I noted in our group work: I believe that being sad or angry won’t solve the situation. That’s why I prefer to keep a positive attitude toward the future and work to change it. When we imagined our lives in 2050, I pictured myself happy, with no worries about the climate situation because we managed to solve it collectively.
Day 2
Day 2 made me think about personal choices and the bigger system. My philosophy, which I shared with the group, revolves around balance and a holistic approach. I try to live a “better” life, seeking functionality over quantity, but I recognize that some “more” aspects, like eating meat or air travel, are hard to change without big sacrifices. The key for me is ensuring the story of “better” is higher than the story of “more.” I also agree with the idea from the videos and my teammate Linda that we don’t need to be perfect; we just need everyone to try their best.
Day 3
The last day focused on imagining a positive and realistic future. This resonated strongly with me. I see myself developing environmentally optimized solutions for manufacturing industries, contributing to a circular economy. This future-oriented thinking gives me motivation instead of fear. Hope is not unrealistic; it is a necessary driver for action.
Talking With the Group
The group discussion was one of the best parts. Majo from Ecuador and I (from Colombia) shared concerns about our coastal cities facing flooding and sea-level rise, while Mavis said Ghana is already experiencing irregular rainfall and heat. In contrast, Linda noted that Austria is “not deadly affected.” This made the climate crisis feel immediate and personal, showing it’s not a future problem but a current one that impacts people unevenly. Our personal philosophies also aligned; we all emphasized mindful consumption, with Linda and I focusing on awareness of what we consume, and Majo and Mavis on mindful eating and anti-consumerism. We all want to support a fair and sustainable future.
Inner Development Goals
Reflecting on the Inner Development Goals, I can see my strengths and areas for growth. I am generally good at Being and Thinking; I have a strong sense of curiosity and a learning mindset, and I can use systems thinking to understand our complex world. However, I feel my presence could be stronger, and I need to work more consciously on the Relating domain, particularly on deepening my empathy and improving my communication skills. I want to grow in my ability to truly connect with others’ experiences and articulate ideas collaboratively. These personal skills are not just important for my future work, but are essential for the collective transition our world needs.
Final Thoughts
The Week did not completely change my worldview, but it helped me slow down and reflect. It reinforced my belief that the future is not fixed, it depends on what we do today. By 2050, I hope to look back and feel that I contributed something meaningful through my work, my support for sustainable solutions, and a life aligned with my values. I cannot change everything. But I can choose how I act, how I work, and what kind of future I support.
About LUIS ANGEL QUINTERO SERRANO
Environmental engineer passionate about creating innovative solutions that promote circular economy to drive positive change in society. My professional trajectory has focused on research, proposal development, and computational modeling in various areas of environmental engineering, especially in water resources and solid waste. I am convinced that addressing environmental challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration and the formation of a strong network of professionals with deep knowledge in science and technology. My goal is to actively contribute to this collective effort, applying my skills and experience to generate positive impact on the environment and society as a whole.