The IPCC report that came out recently found that demand side changes, including consumer behavior change, can help reduce 40 to 70% of the emissions that we need to cut by 2050. So we do have power to meet global climate goals, especially where we act together, and when we know which choices to focus on.
I'll be honest here, I don't think carbon offsets are the answer. Companies relying only on offsets to become carbon neutral are pushing off the hard work of reducing their emissions. On the individual level, however, buying offsets actually has a different effect. It gets individuals to become more engaged in managing their carbon footprint, in talking about climate, and getting involved in activism. This is some of what I learned from Sanchli Pal, founder of a venture-backed startup called Joro.
In this episode of Invested in Climate, we talk to Sanchali about the work she does, how individual decisions can spark systemic change, and what we can all do today to reduce our emissions.
In Today’s Episode, we cover:
- [2:55] What is Joro and what problem is it aiming to solve
- [4:21] The methodology behind tracking and calculating an individual’s carbon footprint
- [8:03] What is an offset and how it works
- [9:08] The validity of concerns around offsetting
- [11:38] The most impactful lifestyle choices we can make to reduce our footprint
- [14:46] How Sanchali started her journey as a founder
- [17:52] Focusing on individuals for leveraging systems change
- [20:16] The multiplier effect through building community
- [23:20] Consumer demands and the need for Joro
- [24:46] Drawing inspiration for US consumers from international progress
- [28:55] Using metrics to work towards a new way of thinking
- [30:37] Areas where people made the biggest carbon reductions in the last year
- [34:18] Work and learning to address the climate crisis
Resources & People Mentioned
Connect with Sanchali Pal
Connect With Jason Rissman
