TED Talks Daily 4 hard truths about capitalism and climate | Steve Howard
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Nov 22, 2025 
Steve Howard, a sustainability leader and former Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA, discusses the friction between capitalism and climate action. He outlines four hard truths that hinder businesses from achieving climate goals. Howard argues that current markets favor short-term profits over sustainable practices, and he emphasizes the need for innovative policies, internal carbon pricing, and investment in green technologies. He illustrates his points with real-world examples like IKEA’s LED initiative and emerging markets' innovative solutions.
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Organizations Are Hardwired To Their Past
- Companies are machines wired to optimize their existing capabilities and markets.
- Expect resistance to fundamental change because firms are structured around what they already do.
Car Maker CTO Refused EVs Then Changed
- Steve recalled a car company's CTO who refused electric vehicles for years.
- The company later produced EVs, showing organizational inertia isn't just individual stubbornness.
Markets Favor Short-Term Profit
- Financial markets prioritize short-term profit over long-term value.
- That short-term bias prevents investment in solutions that avoid costly future climate impacts.