The reality of climate change | David Puttnam | TEDxDublin

Summary

The speaker, a former film producer and chair of the committee behind the world's first climate change act, passionately addresses the urgency of climate change. He draws parallels between historical denials of slavery's abolition and tobacco's harm, emphasizing the economic and health impacts. He stresses the need for leadership and societal action, arguing that we are the first to experience climate change's effects and the last who can prevent its catastrophic future consequences for our children.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The film industry is seen as a wonderful space to work in because it's about delivering to audiences, despite financial and other constraints.
• 🌍 The speaker's focus is on climate change, aiming to raise justified anger about the issue within the next 15 minutes.
• 📊 The speaker urges the audience to check the facts and sources provided in the talk to ensure accuracy and avoid unnecessary fear.
• 🏛️ He chaired the committee that passed the world's first climate change act, setting carbon targets for Britain.
• 🔍 The speaker highlights the economic, health, environmental sustainability, and leadership aspects related to climate change.
• 💵 Historically, economic arguments were used to justify slavery, but the abolition of slavery led to innovation and economic growth.
• 🚬 The tobacco industry is cited as an example of organizations disregarding human suffering for profit, similar to how climate change is being handled.
• 🛑 The speaker emphasizes the difficulty of addressing slow-burn issues like climate change, which require long-term solutions rather than immediate reactions.
• 🌱 Environmental sustainability is crucial, and the speaker points out that humans are using resources as if five planets were available, not one.
• 🌐 The insurance industry is waking up to the reality of climate change, recognizing the financial risks it poses to their business model.
• 🔥 The speaker calls for leadership and a recognition of the problem, emphasizing that this generation has a responsibility to future generations.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech?

The main theme of the speech is the urgency and possibility of addressing climate change, drawing parallels with historical examples of societal change and the importance of leadership and individual responsibility.

Why did the speaker choose to discuss climate change?

The speaker chose to discuss climate change because it is a pressing issue that requires immediate action, and he believes it is not impossible to tackle despite the challenges.

What is the significance of the speaker's background in the film industry in relation to his talk on climate change?

The speaker's background in the film industry is significant because it highlights the idea that, like in filmmaking, addressing climate change requires creativity, collaboration, and the ability to deliver impactful messages to audiences.

What was the world's first climate change act that the speaker refers to?

The world's first climate change act mentioned by the speaker is the one he chaired the committee for in the UK Parliament, which set fixed and binding carbon targets for Britain.

How does the speaker relate the economic argument against abolishing slavery to the economic challenges of addressing climate change?

The speaker relates the economic argument against abolishing slavery to the economic challenges of addressing climate change by illustrating that both involve significant shifts in economic models and require innovation to overcome perceived financial constraints.

What role did the tobacco industry play in the speaker's examples, and what message is he conveying?

The tobacco industry is used as an example of an organization disregarding human suffering in the pursuit of profit. The speaker conveys the message that such denial and pursuit of profit at the expense of health is morally wrong and has severe consequences.

Why did the speaker mention Ralph Nader and his fight with General Motors?

The speaker mentioned Ralph Nader to highlight the importance of individual efforts in creating societal change, specifically in the case of automobile safety with the introduction of seat belts.

What does the speaker mean by 'slow burn issues'?

The speaker refers to 'slow burn issues' as problems that gradually worsen over time but are often overlooked or ignored due to their slow progression, such as climate change.

How does the speaker connect the insurance industry's response to climate change with the urgency of the issue?

The speaker connects the insurance industry's response to climate change by pointing out that as the industry starts to recognize the financial risks associated with climate change, it indicates the severity and immediacy of the issue.

What is the speaker's view on the role of leadership in addressing climate change?

The speaker views leadership as crucial in addressing climate change, emphasizing that recognizing the problem is the first step, and that with the right leadership, people can and will do the right thing.

What is the 'duty of care' the speaker talks about, and why is it important?

The 'duty of care' the speaker refers to is the moral and social responsibility we have towards each other and future generations. It is important because it drives us to take action and make decisions that benefit not just the present but also the future.