Second Place reconciles the incongruity between the architecture of our geopolitics on the one hand, and our collective need to better facilitate planetary and climate sustainability on the other. At a moment of profound global transition, Second Place treats geopolitical change not only as a source of risk, but as an opportunity to place biodiversity, climate stability, and ecological integrity at the centre of how global systems function.

Currently, much of our governance systems are overwhelmed by short-term challenges, which are in part driven by the climate and ecological crises we ourselves have made; the food, energy, trade, finance and governance systems embedded in our now rapidly shfiting geopolitical frameworks have over the last 80 years increased human wellbeing while decimating ecological systems, biodiversity and climate stability – the impact of which is felt particularly, but not exclusively, by the most vulnerable around the world. These highly interdependent and complex systems are unlikely to change at the pace required without substantive disruption.

Herein lie opportunities to build and reform alliances, institutions and norms towards models that integrate nature, climate and social equity more inclusively of our diverse voices and worldviews across the globe. Second Place contributes to this by mapping out the architecture of key systems, the trends and signals therein, and the potential leverage points that could lead to tipping points towards more sustainable, resilient futures.