Reevaluation 2021: A Wake-Up Call and a New Beginning

After a year of unprecedented turmoil, with over 2.16 million deaths from COVID-19 worldwide, political uncertainty, and systemic failures exposed across global leadership — we now stand at a pivotal crossroads.

The so-called “free world,” shaken by poor pandemic handling and environmental backsliding under figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is starting to see signs of hope. With the inauguration of President Joe Biden, the United States has re-entered the Paris Climate Agreement, shut down the Keystone XL pipeline, strengthened the Environmental Protection Agency, and reversed the withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

These steps offer a glimpse of change — but the road ahead is still long.

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A Year of Contrasts: Environmental Wins & Losses

The pandemic forced much of the world into lockdown. And while it brought deep disruption to our personal and professional lives — including massive shifts in work, travel, and hospitality — it also gave nature a moment to breathe.

Wildlife returned to quiet forests and beaches
Waters cleared in once-crowded canals and bays
Air quality improved as flights, cruises, and commutes came to a halt

For the first time in decades, ecosystems showed visible signs of rapid recovery.

But not all consequences were positive.

To protect against the virus, billions of single-use masks, gloves, and PPE were produced — and then discarded. Much of this waste has already entered landfills, rivers, and oceans, creating a new layer of plastic pollution and posing a serious threat to marine life.

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A Global Reset — Of Priorities, Policies & Perspective

2021 must be more than a new calendar year.
It must be a mental and ecological reset.

We have received a dire warning from Mother Nature:
We are not the center of the world.
We are not living in an ego-system — we are part of an eco-system.

This means we must learn to live with the Earth, not just on it.

It’s time to make more responsible choices — as individuals, as industries, and as a global society:

Rethink our consumption
Reduce our dependency on disposable items
Reinvent how we travel and host
Restore balance to the natural world

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Sunsai Nature’s Commitment for 2021

At Sunsai Nature, we are doubling down on our mission:

• To inspire responsible leadership in tourism and hospitality
• To reduce the environmental impact of our industry through sustainable products and practices
• To help professionals build resilient, future-proof tourism ecosystems

As the world prepares for the next wave of travel, let’s not return to business as usual.
Let’s embrace a better normal — one where nature and community are prioritized over convenience and profit.

Let’s make environmental protection great again.

With respect, hope, and renewed purpose,
The Sunsai Nature Team

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REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE

Author: Norman Stankewitz
Founder of Sunsai Nature – Sustainable Solutions for Tourism & Hospitality