Nature-based solutions in the fight against climate change | Thomas Crowther | TEDxLausanne

Summary

David DeRuwe shares his journey from struggling student to leading environmental scientist, emphasizing the power of embracing challenges. He discusses the importance of ecological engagement, particularly in the face of climate change, and introduces innovative solutions like the trillion tree campaign. DeRuwe highlights the potential of natural systems, such as forests and grasslands, to capture carbon and mitigate climate change, urging a combined approach of ecological restoration and emission reduction.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The speaker emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges, drawing a parallel between the difficulty of a game and the struggle in scientific research.
• 🎓 He shares a personal story of academic struggle and dyslexia, which led to a pivotal advice from a professor to treat ecology as a game, sparking a change in his approach.
• 🌳 The speaker is currently engaged in global-scale research on biodiversity, focusing on climate change as one of the greatest threats to it.
• 🔢 He highlights the staggering amount of carbon emissions, comparing 10 gigatons to the weight of 27,000 Empire State Buildings, to illustrate the scale of the problem.
• 🌍 The speaker discusses the role of natural systems in combating climate change, particularly the carbon cycle's ability to absorb CO2, exemplified by the emergence of leaves on trees.
• 🌲 He introduces the concept of global tree density and how new models, using machine learning and AI, have revealed there are over 3 trillion trees on Earth, not 400 billion as previously thought.
• 🌱 The potential of restoring ecosystems on degraded lands is presented as a significant carbon drawdown solution, with the possibility of adding another trillion trees.
• 🌟 The speaker addresses criticisms by advocating for a multifaceted approach that includes both emissions cuts and ecosystem restoration.
• 💰 He discusses the economic feasibility of large-scale ecosystem restoration, suggesting it could be achieved for as little as thirty cents per tree.
• 🌐 The speaker calls for global action, emphasizing that even partial achievements in ecosystem restoration can have a significant positive impact on climate change and biodiversity.

Q & A

What is the game 'frisball' mentioned in the script?

Frisball is a game where a group of people pass a ball and a frisbee around without using their hands, throwing the ball in the air and then the frisbee to the next person who catches the frisbee and then the ball.

Why did the speaker struggle during his university years?

The speaker struggled because he was dyslexic and found it hard to keep up with the required reading, which led to a lack of motivation. He was also obsessed with games, which he thought was a distraction from his studies.

What advice did the professor give to the speaker that changed his perspective?

The professor advised the speaker to make ecology his next game, embracing the challenge and enjoying the process, which would increase his chances of success and make the learning experience more enjoyable.

What is the speaker's current focus in the field of biodiversity?

The speaker is currently studying the impact of climate change on biodiversity at a global scale, focusing on one of the greatest threats to biodiversity.

How much carbon is emitted into the atmosphere annually according to the script?

According to the script, 10 gigatons of carbon are emitted into the atmosphere annually.

What is the significance of the number 300 gigatons mentioned in the script?

The number 300 gigatons represents the total amount of carbon that has been added to the atmosphere since the start of the Industrial Revolution, highlighting the scale of the problem that needs to be addressed.

How does the speaker describe the natural system's role in carbon capture?

The speaker describes the natural system, particularly trees and forests, as the most powerful system we have to date for capturing carbon, emphasizing the importance of effective management of these ecosystems.

What was the previous global estimate of the number of trees on Earth before the new model was developed?

Before the new model was developed, it was estimated that there were about 400 billion trees on Earth.

How many trees are there actually on Earth according to the new model?

The new model revealed that there are over 3 trillion trees on Earth.

What is the potential additional carbon storage if ecosystems are restored across all degraded lands?

If ecosystems are restored across all degraded lands, there could be an additional storage of 205 gigatons of carbon.

What are the criticisms mentioned in the script regarding the approach to climate change?

The criticisms mentioned are the need for emissions cuts, the importance of conserving existing forests, and the necessity to preserve and restore natural grasslands and savannas.