Are We the Last Generation — or the First Sustainable One? | Hannah Ritchie | TED

Summary

The speaker argues that despite feeling hopeless about climate change, we could become the first sustainable generation in history. Technological innovations like renewable energy and electric vehicles are rapidly getting cheaper and better, allowing countries to increase GDP while reducing emissions. To inspire change, we must reframe sustainability as an opportunity, make low-carbon solutions the default choice, and showcase positive progress. Though success isn't guaranteed, we now have the chance to end poverty and environmental harm if we act quickly and ambitiously.

Takeaways

• 😟 For the first time, we're telling kids they'll die from climate change, breeding anxiety
• 😔 Historically, human progress came at a cost to the environment
• 😀 But we're now quickly decoupling progress from environmental harm
• 👍🏻 Many countries have managed to increase GDP while reducing emissions
• 😊 Global emissions per capita have already peaked and are falling
• 💡 Technological innovations are allowing us to move away from fossil fuels
• 😁 Deforestation and global car sales have already peaked and are declining
• 😎 Low-carbon tech needs to become cheaper and better than high-carbon options
• 💪 We must reframe sustainability as an opportunity, not a sacrifice
• 🙏 We have the chance to be the first sustainable generation if we act fast

Q & A

What evidence does the speaker provide that the world is becoming more sustainable?

The speaker shows data indicating that per capita CO2 emissions have peaked and are declining in many countries. Deforestation rates have also peaked and forests are regrowing in some places. Crop yields continue to increase dramatically, allowing more food production without expanding farmlands.

How does the speaker define sustainability?

The speaker defines sustainability as having two key components: 1) Providing a good quality of life for everyone alive today, and 2) Having a low environmental impact to protect future generations.

Why does the speaker argue that previous generations were not truly sustainable?

Because while previous generations had a low environmental impact, they did not provide a good quality of life - child mortality rates were extremely high.

What technological innovations does the speaker highlight as driving sustainability?

The speaker highlights the dramatically falling costs and improved efficiency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. They also highlight advances in energy storage, electric vehicles, and improvements in crop yields.

How can we make low-carbon technologies the default choice for consumers?

By making them 1) affordable and cheaper than high-carbon alternatives and 2) better - with a superior design and user experience.

How does the speaker suggest we reframe the concept of sustainability?

As an opportunity rather than a sacrifice - a chance to rethink how we power our world, design our cities, and live our lives in more sustainable ways.

What role have environmental activists and communicators played, according to the speaker?

They have done an amazing job waking the world up to environmental problems and bringing issues like climate change into the mainstream conversation.

What limitation in how environmental data is presented does the speaker identify?

Just showing rising emissions, temperatures etc. leads to paralysis and the assumption no progress is being made. We need to also show positive developments.

What is the speaker's main message regarding sustainability?

That we have the opportunity to be the first generation to build a truly sustainable world by ending poverty, developing clean technologies, and rethinking how we live.

Why does the speaker emphasize that a sustainable future is not inevitable?

It requires continued hard work, ambition, innovation, and effort across many fields to become a reality.