In this paper, we present a solution-oriented idea to combine the building of a resilient pension system and the privatization of state assets: privatization through pension funds. Many countries face the challenge of establishing or developing retirement systems while seeking to professionalize the management of state assets. Under the right conditions, privatization through pension funds can contribute to both outcomes and should be considered by policymakers. The key difference to the traditional privatization of state assets is that this idea would keep ownership of the asset with the population and spread the profit among a country’s population in the form of future retirement income. Privatization through pension funds, therefore, constitutes a form of democratization of a nation’s wealth.

In this paper, we consider the long-term consequences of the Green Revolution, which was set in motion after World War II to address issues around resource scarcity and hunger. We accept the Green Revolution began with the best intentions and initially achieved its objectives, but we argue that its unforeseen negative impacts have been substantial. The long-term consequences have included the crucial role of enhanced crop yields in fuelling factory farming’s rise amid unhealthy higher global demand for meat and dairy products. The now-dominant factory farming sector is today directly linked to climate change, highly resistant pathogens and other existential threats facing the planet and its inhabitants.

Alfred Nobel, explosives manufacturer, created the famous peace prize after reading his obituary, mistakenly published following the death of his brother. Jeremy Coller’s friend who was aware of Nobel’s story decided to write two versions of Jeremy’s own obituary. He had a lightbulb moment to focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and factory farming – switching from being a bystander to an upstander.