Young People are the Solution to Climate Change | Vish Dhar | TEDxPhillipsAcademyAndover

Summary

The speaker reflects on a life-changing experience in New Delhi, where thick smog revealed the dangers of pollution and climate change. They discuss the destructive effects of carbon dioxide emissions, from melting ice caps to ocean acidification, and stress how vulnerable populations suffer the most. The speaker advocates for renewable energy, particularly solar power, and urges young people to lead the charge in tackling climate change. With a sense of urgency, they emphasize that we have just 25 years to make a difference before the damage becomes irreversible, calling for collective action to ensure a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The scariest ride the speaker ever experienced was sitting in a taxi in New Delhi amidst dangerous smog, highlighting the dangers of air pollution.
• 😀 Smog is created when fog combines with smoke and pollutants, creating a thick, brownish haze that reduces visibility and is harmful to health.
• 😀 Carbon dioxide from human activities, such as automobiles and factories, is a major contributor to environmental problems like melting ice caps and rising sea levels.
• 😀 As carbon dioxide levels rise, the acidity of seawater increases, which kills coral reefs that are essential to marine life and the food supply of over 1 billion people.
• 😀 Many people are already suffering the consequences of climate change, such as those in the Marshall Islands and Indian farmers, despite contributing little to the problem.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that while some people are privileged enough to ignore climate change, it is a daily reality for others, making it urgent to take action.
• 😀 To help reduce pollution, the speaker installed solar panels at home, showcasing how renewable energy can reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• 😀 Solar power is an infinite, renewable resource that can provide energy for billions of years, in stark contrast to non-renewable fossil fuels like coal and oil.
• 😀 Schools, communities, and even entire nations can significantly reduce their carbon footprints by transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar power.
• 😀 The speaker stresses the need for a cultural shift in society, where climate change should not be debated but urgently acted upon, especially by policymakers.
• 😀 Young people are seen as the key to driving the change against climate change due to their connectivity and ability to spread awareness through social media and grassroots projects.

Q & A

What is the scariest ride the speaker has ever been on?

The speaker describes the scariest ride as sitting in the back of a taxi in New Delhi, India, where they were surrounded by thick smog, causing limited visibility and a terrifying ride through heavy traffic.

What is smog and how does it affect the environment?

Smog is a mixture of fog, smoke, and other pollutants in the air, creating a dense, brownish layer of unhealthy air. It reduces visibility and is harmful to both health and the environment.

What are some of the broader environmental impacts of carbon dioxide emissions?

Carbon dioxide emissions contribute to the melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and the destruction of coral reefs, which in turn affects marine life and the global food supply.

How does climate change affect people in vulnerable areas like the Marshall Islands and India?

People in vulnerable areas such as the Marshall Islands are directly impacted by rising sea levels, while farmers in India suffer from extreme weather patterns like unpredictable rainfall that destroys crops.

Why does the speaker emphasize the disproportionate impact of climate change on certain populations?

The speaker highlights that many of the people suffering the worst effects of climate change, like those in the Marshall Islands or Indian farmers, contribute very little to the problem, which makes their suffering even more unjust.

What personal action did the speaker take to address climate change?

The speaker took steps to reduce their household's electricity consumption and eventually convinced their father to install solar panels, making their home more reliant on clean, renewable energy.

How does solar power compare to fossil fuels in terms of sustainability?

Solar power is a renewable energy source that can provide energy for billions of years, while fossil fuels like coal and oil are non-renewable and produce harmful emissions that contribute to climate change.

What example does the speaker give about the energy consumption of their school?

The speaker mentions that their school, Folks Academy, uses around 13 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to powering 1,350 homes, with carbon emissions comparable to burning nearly 10 million pounds of coal.

What does the speaker believe needs to change in order to combat climate change?

The speaker believes that a national mindset shift is needed, where climate change is recognized as a critical issue, and political leaders must act on the will of the people to address the crisis effectively.

How can young people contribute to solving climate change?

Young people can contribute by using their connectivity and social media influence to raise awareness, advocate for renewable energy, and educate others about the urgency of climate change, all while leading local sustainability projects.