"There's no money to invest in education elsewhere, so they almost get trapped in the cycle where they don't get a lot from crop production, but everyone in the family has to work there to just stay afloat. Basically, you get locked in. There's almost no opportunities externally to go elsewhere. So one of my core arguments is that if you're going to address global poverty, you have to increase agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. There's almost no way of avoiding that." — Hannah RitchieIn today’s episode, host Luisa Rodriguez interviews the head of research at Our World in Data — Hannah Ritchie — on the case for environmental optimism.Links to learn more, summary and full transcript.They cover:Why agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa could be so important, and how much better things could getHer new book about how we could be the first generation to build a sustainable planetWhether climate change is the most worrying environmental issueHow we reduced outdoor air pollutionWhy Hannah is worried about the state of ​​biodiversitySolutions that address multiple environmental issues at onceHow the world coordinated to address the hole in the ozone layerSurprises from Our World in Data’s researchPsychological challenges that come up in Hannah’s workAnd plenty moreGet this episode by subscribing to our podcast on the world’s most pressing problems and how to solve them: type ‘80,000 Hours’ into your podcasting app. Or read the transcript.Producer and editor: Keiran HarrisAudio Engineering Lead: Ben CordellTechnical editing: Milo McGuire and Dominic ArmstrongAdditional content editing: Katy Moore and Luisa RodriguezTranscriptions: Katy Moore

Data scientist Hannah Ritchie explores the numbers behind human progress, the misleading understanding of sustainability, and how we can be the first generation to achieve it. She highlights the progress in improving well-being and education, the potential of technology and innovation to address challenges, the urgency of transitioning to sustainable energy, and the success of certain countries in decoupling CO2 emissions from GDP growth.

Data scientist Hannah Ritchie discusses why people believe the world is doomed due to climate change, misconceptions and pessimism about climate change, declining birth rates and concerns of population collapse, using data to influence beliefs and culture, ocean plastics and overfishing, and coordinating global efforts to improve the shared environment.

Dr Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist and science communicator, discusses positive trends in climate change, renewable energy, environmental issues in farming, and the societal process of making choices in addressing environmental problems. She emphasizes the need for hope and practical solutions to combat the climate crisis.

Bill Gates interviews researcher Hannah Ritchie about her book 'Not the End of the World' and the importance of a data-driven approach to environmental challenges. They discuss progress in reducing air pollution and plastic waste, global trends in greenhouse gas emissions, the power of AI, meat substitutes, advancements in food technology, and prioritizing human welfare.

Explore the challenges and solutions for sustainably feeding the global population. Learn about increased farming productivity, inefficiencies in food distribution, and advancements in crop yield technologies. Discover the potential for sustainable food production and inspiring actions towards a sustainable planet.

Time management expert Laura Vanderkam, non-profit CEO Aisha Nyandoro, environmental data scientist Hannah Ritchie, and writer Emily Esfahani Smith talk about managing time, balancing work and personal life, finding time for what matters, financial planning, shifting perspectives on climate change and sustainability, achieving sustainability, decline in CO2 emissions, and the power of finding fulfillment in life.

Hannah Ritchie, lead Environmental Scientist at OurWorldinData.org, discusses redefining sustainability, perception gap, degrowth movement, Jevon's Paradox, climate change solutions, success stories, surprising facts, and a win-win future in a conversation about global challenges and environmental solutions.

Having completed several degrees in environmental science, Hannah Ritchie nearly left the field out of helplessness and frustration, worried she would never make a real difference. Today, she's a passionate advocate for changing climate messaging, replacing what she believes are paralyzing--and often false--claims with empowering arguments that people can embrace. Listen as the head of research at Our World in Data talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about food emissions, low-carbon technologies, and what the data shows about what matters (and what matters much less) when it comes to climate change.

Dr. Hannah Ritchie from Our World in Data discusses sustainable planet building, data dynamics, cautious optimism, and doom narratives in the climate community. The importance of perspective, action, and data-driven solutions are highlighted in this thought-provoking dialogue.