Green growth is one vehicle through which technology

Hear the wise words of Chuka Umunna: “Green growth is one vehicle through which technology, globalisation and environmental challenges can be turned from obstacles to solutions for problems related to growth, jobs and competitiveness.” These words rise like a banner of hope over a world weary of crisis, declaring that what appears to be burden can be transformed into blessing. They speak not of despair at the wounds of the earth, but of opportunity, where the very challenges we face may become the engines of renewal and prosperity.

The meaning of this quote rests upon a truth long ignored: that the old ways of growth—burning coal, cutting forests, consuming without restraint—are paths to ruin. Yet Umunna reminds us that new ways are possible. Technology, once accused of causing destruction, can be harnessed to heal. Globalisation, once blamed for exploitation, can spread solutions as swiftly as problems. Even environmental challenges, terrible though they may seem, can push humankind toward innovation, toward cleaner industries, and toward jobs rooted not in destruction but in preservation. Thus, what once appeared as obstacle can be remade as stepping stone.

History itself testifies to this transformation. In the days of the Industrial Revolution, cities were cloaked in smog, rivers poisoned, workers crushed beneath soot and fire. Yet from this suffering arose the age of sanitation, public health, and labor rights. What once seemed like insurmountable crisis forced humanity to invent new systems of protection and fairness. So too today, the crisis of climate change and ecological collapse may be the fire that forges new industries of clean energy, new economies of shared prosperity, and new opportunities for those long left behind.

Consider the story of Denmark, a small nation that faced the oil crisis of the 1970s. Bereft of its own resources, it turned to green growth, investing in wind power when others dismissed it as folly. Today, Denmark is a leader in wind technology, exporting turbines and expertise to the world, creating thousands of jobs, and securing its own energy independence. This is the living embodiment of Umunna’s words: what seemed an obstacle became a source of wealth, stability, and international competitiveness.

The heart of this quote also speaks to the human spirit. Too often we see technology and globalisation as forces beyond our control, as powers that erode communities and endanger the planet. But Umunna’s vision is that humanity can take the reins of these forces, guiding them not to destruction but to creation. Just as a skilled sailor harnesses the fury of the wind to cross oceans, so can we harness the storms of change to build a future that is both prosperous and sustainable.

The lesson for us is this: do not fear challenges, for within them lie the seeds of transformation. Do not curse globalisation, but demand that it serve justice. Do not despair at technology, but guide it with wisdom. Do not shrink from environmental challenges, for they are the summons to greatness in our time. Every obstacle contains within it the spark of opportunity, if only we have the courage to act with vision.

Practical action begins with our choices as citizens, workers, and leaders. Support industries and businesses that embrace green growth. Encourage innovation that seeks not only profit but sustainability. Demand that governments invest in clean energy, education, and green infrastructure, for these are not expenses but investments in life itself. As individuals, live with moderation and mindfulness, knowing that each act—every purchase, every vote, every effort—tilts the balance toward destruction or renewal.

Thus let Umunna’s words be remembered as both call and challenge: green growth is not a dream, but a path already before us. It is the way to turn fear into hope, loss into gain, obstacles into triumph. And if we walk it with courage, the future generations will not curse us for our blindness, but bless us for our foresight. For in every trial, the choice remains: to be broken by the weight of the world, or to lift that weight and build from it a brighter, more sustainable age.