TED Business The trillion dollar paradox | George Zaidan
Aug 25, 2025
George Zaidan, who previously gave a TED-Ed lesson on the trillion dollar paradox, dives into the pressing costs of global warming. He discusses how ignoring the climate crisis can be tempting but emphasizes the financial burdens of inaction. Zaidan also examines the economics of investing in clean energy, arguing that initial costs are minor compared to the long-term savings from transitioning to renewables. He makes a compelling case for immediate action and the importance of reshaping public narratives to spur climate change awareness.
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Pay Now To Avoid Bigger Future Costs
- Modupe Akinola describes learning to accept upfront costs using personal examples like dental care.
- She uses the dentist story to show spending now can prevent much larger future costs.
Renewables Are Like Digging A Well
- George Zaidan compares fossil fuels to trucked water and renewables to digging a well to show true costs.
- He argues upfront investment in renewables can save money and avoid escalating climate damages.
Investment Drove Solar's Dramatic Price Drop
- Early 2000s economic models overestimated renewable costs and predicted impracticality.
- Massive investments by countries and companies drove R&D that made solar far cheaper than predicted.