We Can Fix Climate ChangeFighting climate change is much like long-distance running: a complex journey filled with obstacles, fast-changing conditions and the need for constant adaptation.
Drawing on his own experience as an ultramarathon runner, energy expert Greg de Temmerman charts a path for climate action that balances difficult choices and imperfect solutions with the need for urgent progress.
(Recorded at TED Countdown: Overcoming Dilemmas in the Green Transition on October 29, 2024)
Text above from original video description.
Greg de Temmerman draws an analogy between long-distance running and the global fight against climate change. Both endeavors are characterized by complexity, setbacks, and the necessity for adaptive decision-making.
The speaker, a physicist with expertise in energy and climate issues, emphasizes that the path to address climate change is neither straightforward nor easy. Just as runners must navigate diverse terrains, adapt to changing conditions, and make critical choices about gear and supplies, society must confront a multitude of challenges and compromises on the road to sustainable solutions.
Highlights
- 🏃♂️ Running and Climate Change: Both long-distance running and combating climate change require navigating complex paths with setbacks and trade-offs.
- 🌍 Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Society currently emits around 57 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually, primarily from fossil fuel consumption.
- 🏔️ Path to Net-Zero: Achieving net-zero emissions is essential, but it’s a challenging journey requiring immediate and sustained action.
- 🚗 Transport Solutions: While electric vehicles offer a short-term solution, long-term sustainability demands a reimagining of urban transport systems.
- 🏗️ Infrastructure Challenges: Transitioning to sustainable mobility involves significant infrastructure changes that will take time to implement.
- ⚖️ Trade-offs in Solutions: The shift to electric vehicles raises questions about sustainability and resource extraction that must be addressed.
- ⏳ Urgency of Action: Delaying climate action risks worsening human suffering due to rising global temperatures.
