Serious Inquiries Only cover image

Serious Inquiries Only

SIO421: More Technological Anti-Solutions

Jan 26, 2024
In this episode, they discuss examples of technological anti-solutions like burying trees for carbon credits and the challenges of self-driving car technology. They explore the ethics of extreme wealth, societal change, and the complexities of progress. The conversation also touches on carbon sequestration, power structures in climate change mitigation, and the role of big companies in climate solutions. They emphasize the importance of evaluating technology within a social context to prevent negative impacts.
41:45

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Carbon offsets like burying trees often fail due to loopholes and skewed incentives, raising doubts on their effectiveness in fighting climate change.
  • Partnerships like Exxon Mobil and Biden administration on carbon capture favor big corporations, raising concerns about profiteering over true environmental impact.

Deep dives

Carbon Offsets: A Flawed Market

The idea of carbon offsets, exemplified by the practice of burying trees to reduce carbon emissions, is criticized for its inherent flaws. While theoretically sound, the practical implementation often fails due to loopholes, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and skewed incentives. It's highlighted that the process of making offset decisions is riddled with uncertainties, leading to questionable outcomes. The carbon offset market entrenches existing power structures, allowing polluters to profit from their own environmental damage, raising concerns about its effectiveness in combatting climate change.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode