The Climate Solutions Worth Funding — Now | Jonathan Foley | TED

Summary

Climate scientist emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change, highlighting the importance of science in identifying effective, affordable solutions. They advocate for immediate action on cutting emissions, underscoring the 'time value of carbon' and the need for a portfolio of solutions that align with atmospheric carbon levels. The speaker calls for a focus on evidence-based, equitable, and impactful strategies, urging the audience to embrace science to combat climate change.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Science plays a crucial role in identifying and validating climate solutions.
• 🌍 Climate change is a global crisis that requires immediate and effective solutions.
• 📊 A meta-analysis of climate solutions can help determine the most impactful and cost-effective strategies.
• 💡 Science can guide us in prioritizing solutions that are ready to implement now over those that are still theoretical.
• 💰 Many effective climate solutions are surprisingly affordable and can save money in the long run.
• 📉 A cost curve analysis shows that around 80% of climate solutions are cheaper than current polluting practices.
• ⏳ The urgency of addressing climate change cannot be overstated; early action is significantly more impactful.
• 🌳 Carbon removal is necessary but should not overshadow the importance of immediate emission reductions.
• 🌿 Nature-based solutions like reforestation are important but have a slower impact compared to immediate emission cuts.
• 🌐 Science can help geographically target efforts to ensure maximum environmental and social impact.
• 🌡️ Transitioning away from fossil fuels not only combats climate change but also improves public health by reducing air pollution.

Q & A

What role does science play in addressing the climate crisis?

Science plays a crucial role in identifying the causes of climate change and suggesting effective solutions. It also helps in conducting meta-analyses to determine which solutions are most impactful and ready for implementation.

How does a meta-analysis help in sorting out climate solutions?

A meta-analysis in the context of climate change involves collecting and analyzing all available evidence and data to determine which solutions are the most effective and can be implemented immediately.

What does the speaker mean by 'evidence tells us what we should focus on'?

The speaker is referring to the fact that scientific evidence can guide us towards focusing on climate solutions that are already available and proven to be effective, rather than being distracted by less impactful ideas.

How does the cost curve help in understanding climate solutions?

A cost curve ranks climate solutions from the cheapest to the most expensive, showing that approximately 80 percent of effective climate solutions are cheaper than current polluting practices, making them a cost-effective choice.

Why is it important to focus on solutions that are ready to go now?

Focusing on solutions that are ready to implement immediately allows us to start reducing emissions and building up their impact over time, which is crucial given the urgency of the climate crisis.

What does the speaker mean by 'bending the big red curve'?

The 'big red curve' refers to the graph of greenhouse gas emissions. 'Bending it' means drastically reducing these emissions to mitigate climate change.

Why is it crucial to cut emissions drastically in the coming decade?

Cutting emissions drastically in the coming decade is crucial because it prevents a significant amount of carbon from entering the atmosphere, and the impact of these cuts accumulates over time.

How does the concept of 'time value of carbon' relate to climate solutions?

The 'time value of carbon' is analogous to the time value of money, indicating that early action on emissions reductions is more effective and valuable in the long run compared to delayed actions.

What is the significance of the first decades of emissions cuts according to the script?

The first decades of emissions cuts are significant because they account for three quarters of the necessary reductions to reach net zero, emphasizing the importance of early action.

How can science help in geographically focusing climate efforts?

Science and big data can identify specific locations where interventions like stopping methane leaks or deforestation would have the most immediate impact, ensuring that efforts are targeted and effective.

What is the importance of considering equity and justice in climate solutions?

Equity and justice are important considerations in climate solutions to ensure that the most vulnerable and poorest populations are not disproportionately affected and that the benefits of climate actions are fairly distributed.

How does the speaker suggest we align our efforts with the atmosphere and carbon problem?

The speaker suggests using science to orchestrate a portfolio of actions that align with the carbon in the atmosphere, ensuring that our efforts are proportionate and effective in addressing the climate crisis.