We tend to think of climate change as a problem in and of itself. But what if the climate crisis is a symptom of a bigger issue? What if we can’t solve climate change without social justice?

Meteorologist Eric Holthaus is the climate correspondent for The Correspondent and author of The Future Earth: A Radical Vision for What’s Possible in the Age of Warming. Today, Eric joins Ross to explain how climate change is a symptom of broader societal inequalities and discuss the role ownership has played in causing the climate crisis. He shares his vision for a cooperative political and economic system based on distributed production that supports the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Eric goes on to explore the complexity of our connections with the each other and advocate for a system of ethics that promotes care work and prevents overconsumption by a privileged few. Listen in for Eric’s insight around what the pandemic has taught us about the potential for a radically different life and learn how actively reducing inequality is the first step in solving climate change—once and for all.

Key Takeaways

[1:16] The themes Eric presents in The Future Earth

Combination of urgency + optimism (picture of what fighting FOR)
Climate change provides chance to fix other structural problems

[5:20] How quickly ‘radical solutions’ have become mainstream

Demonstrated in numbers published by Data for Progress
Example—100% renewable energy seemed out of reach

[7:26] The relationship between climate and justice

Climate change = symptom of broader inequalities + injustice
Perspective lends to expanded list of solutions (e.g.: care work)

[8:08] The role ownership has played in causing climate change

Idea of private property consolidated wealth to few
Overconsumption by those who control resources
Can only survive by caring for each other and our home
Must become stewards of objects, own as community

[17:41] Eric’s vision for our future economic and political systems

Yet to be invented, drawn out of ecologically focused world
Can’t survive in competitive economic system on finite planet
Believe life, liberty and pursuit of happiness possible for all

[21:35] The concept of distributed production

Democratize everything for broader societal goal of cooperation
Example of libraries as community resource anyone can use

[27:58] Eric’s take on toxic masculinity and care work

Must understand complexity of relationship to world
Develop skills in asking for help, admitting when wrong

[32:08] How Eric thinks about energy efficiency and overconsumption

Break addiction to overconsumption with focus on reducing inequality
Wealth tax provides universal access to housing, food and water

[37:18] The potential for us to lead radically different lives

Demonstrated by Coronavirus pandemic
Reframe what is and is not necessary (e.g.: air travel)
Rebuild purpose of society in zero carbon context

[40:47] Eric’s insight on travel and the auto industry in the US

Bike networks in Amsterdam don’t interface with roads at all
Surface areas of cities 30% to 40% car infrastructure
Highways built to boost economy but destroy neighborhoods

Manica Blain from Top Knot Ventures