Solving for Climate Mark Titley: How do we stop deforestation?
8 snips
Jun 3, 2025 Mark Titley, a senior researcher at Trase, utilizes satellite imagery and shipping data to unveil links between supply chains and deforestation. He dives into how technology can monitor and combat forest loss while exploring the role of consumer behavior in this crisis. The conversation also tackles multinational companies' transparency challenges and the emerging tools, like AI, aimed at addressing environmental impacts. Finally, Titley discusses the issue of greenwashing and how AI could enhance the authenticity of corporate sustainability claims.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Agriculture Drives Modern Deforestation
- Most global deforestation is driven by agriculture creating land for cattle and crops like palm oil and soy.
- Wealthy countries cut down forests long ago and now import products linked to deforestation elsewhere.
Deforestation vs Exposure Defined
- Trace distinguishes deforestation from deforestation exposure, linking forest loss to consumer demand.
- Exposure means consumers likely buy products from recently deforested land, but exact links are hard due to supply chain complexity.
Innovative Data Use in Tracking
- Trace uses pre-existing data like customs records and bills of lading to map commodity trade routes.
- They infer where commodities originate within countries by linking trade data with local processing facility locations.