To Confront Climate Change, Imagine Getting It Right
Sep 17, 2024
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Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, discusses her new book which explores optimistic visions for confronting climate change. She motivates listeners to envision a future where collective action leads to significant change. Topics include rebuilding sustainable infrastructure by 2050, the role of finance in combating fossil fuels, and how both corporations and individuals can harmonize their efforts against climate impacts. Her insights aim to inspire personal agency in the climate crisis.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson emphasizes shifting the climate change narrative from despair to hope by exploring achievable positive outcomes.
The podcast introduces a 'climate action Venn diagram' to help individuals identify their unique contributions to climate solutions.
Deep dives
Reframing Climate Change Narratives
Addressing the overwhelming nature of climate change discussions, it is emphasized that many narratives focus on dire predictions, which can lead to despair and inaction. Dr. Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson argues for a shift in perspective by asking what if we can get it right instead of solely considering what could go wrong. By doing so, she seeks to inspire hope and agency among individuals, encouraging them to recognize the potential for positive change. This approach underscores the significance of viewing climate solutions as attainable rather than distant, fostering a proactive and optimistic mindset towards the climate crisis.
Finding Individual Roles in Climate Solutions
Johnson introduces a framework for individuals to discover their unique contributions to climate solutions through a 'climate action Venn diagram.' This diagram consists of three circles: one's skills and resources, the needs of the climate action landscape, and personal joy and fulfillment. By reflecting on these intersecting areas, individuals can identify meaningful ways to engage with climate action that resonate with their passions and abilities. The book features interviews with experts across various fields, offering insights into how different professions contribute to tangible climate solutions and inspiring readers to find their roles in this critical movement.
Transformative Opportunities in Infrastructure
The podcast highlights the startling fact that about 75% of the infrastructure projected for 2050 has yet to be built, presenting a significant opportunity for transformation. Johnson emphasizes the need for rethinking this infrastructure in the context of sustainability and resilience against climate change. By considering what future systems and designs can look like, society has the chance to create a framework that aligns with environmental goals. This focus on possibility and transformation invites a collective approach to building a sustainable future, where community involvement is pivotal in addressing the climate crisis comprehensively.
Part of the reason it’s difficult to talk about climate change is that it can be hard to see a long-term positive outcome for people and the planet. But Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, argues that to prevent the worst effects of climate change, we have to start by asking ourselves, what if we get it right?
She’s the author of a new book with that same title, What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures. In the book, she poses that question to experts in oceans, farming, architecture, finance, and even Hollywood to find out what getting it right looks like in their own fields and what those solutions could look like for the rest of us.