The Potential for Sustainability

Environmental data scientist Hannah Ritchie explores the potential for true sustainability, emphasizing that we may be the first generation capable of achieving it. She challenges the conventional notion of sustainability, highlighting how previous generations were not truly sustainable due to their small populations and the high child mortality rates. However, she believes that by focusing on the two halves of sustainability - providing a good life for everyone today and reducing CO2 emissions - we can create a sustainable future. Technological advancements in renewable energy, energy storage, and agriculture are driving the transition to a more sustainable world, while falling costs make these cleaner alternatives more accessible. Ritchie calls for a reframing of sustainability as an opportunity rather than sacrifice and emphasizes the need for continued data-driven progress.