There are people who are able to see the future before everyone else and lay the foundations for changes that are only understood many years later. Erling Lorentzen, who left us today at the age of 98, was one of those people.
Norwegian by birth but Brazilian at heart, founder and honorary president of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), Erling envisioned, since the 1960s, when he founded Aracruz Celulose, a development model completely different from what was being done at the time. For him, it was not only possible, but necessary, to act with socio-environmental responsibility, reducing impacts and measuring the value of natural resources. These proposals, brought together in the book Change Course, published by CEBDS, had a huge influence on the debate during and after Rio 92.
Erling's visionary pioneering work served as an example and bore fruit. Here at CEBDS, initiatives such as Vision 2050, of which we will launch an updated version in the coming weeks, seek to take this same view of the future, reconciling development and sustainability by addressing the main challenges for companies and society in the next three decades.
In 2016, we had the opportunity to pay tribute to Erling during Sustentável, our sustainability conference. At the time, at over 90 years old and still regularly skydiving, the vitality with which he spoke about his ideas and projects inspired us all.
At this moment, when he leaves us, it is time to rescue and share his legacy in favor of Brazil, humanity and the planet. Our warmest regards to Erling's family and friends and to all those who, like us, were touched by his example and his message.
Marina Grossi and Marcos Bicudo
Presidents of CEBDS and Vedacit, respectively.
