The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens Fighting for a Livable Future: Exploring Frontier Climate Interventions with Kelly Erhart
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Dec 10, 2025 
In a thought-provoking discussion, climate philanthropist Kelly Erhart dives into cutting-edge climate research and interventions. As the Director of partnerships at Outlier Projects and co-founder of Project Vesta, she unveils alarming climate feedback loops, like glacier collapse. Kelly highlights innovative strategies beyond mitigation, including oceanic carbon sequestration and the urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches to climate science. She also reflects on the role of AI, the importance of governance in geoengineering, and why embracing systemic thinking is vital for a sustainable future.
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How Vesta Began During Orange Skies
- Kelly discovered coastal enhanced weathering after the San Francisco smoke events and an IPCC report.
- That curiosity led her to co-found Project Vesta and run first field trials of ocean alkalinity enhancement.
The Climate Dashboard: Red Lights Matter
- The climate dashboard has green, yellow, and red lights indicating deployment wins, stalled emissions declines, and alarming system feedbacks.
- Red lights (tipping points, feedbacks, sensitivity) demand exploring tools beyond mitigation and adaptation.
Warming-Induced Emissions Are Underestimated
- Warming-induced emissions from natural systems (permafrost, wetlands) are emerging and undercounted in many models.
- These natural feedbacks act as accelerants and complicate mitigation planning.
