Solving for Climate

Mark Bjornsgaard, the founder of Deep Green, discusses the untapped potential of excess heat from data centers. He explains how 97% of electricity consumed by computers turns into heat, which can be repurposed to heat community facilities like swimming pools and breweries. Bjornsgaard unveils a novel business model that integrates data centers with district heating systems, offering free heat while cutting cooling costs. He also highlights the competitive landscape in district heating innovations and the importance of collaboration in tackling climate challenges.

Dr. Sasha Luccioni, the AI and Climate Lead at Hugging Face, discusses the hidden carbon costs of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT. She sheds light on the significant energy consumption in data centers and the collaborative efforts to analyze AI’s full lifecycle. Luccioni shares her journey from AI research to environmental advocacy, emphasizing the ethical implications of tech company's climate commitments. The conversation also tackles AI's potential role in mitigating climate change while highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the industry.

In this insightful discussion, Professor Sir David King, a leading climate expert and Founder of the Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge University, shares groundbreaking strategies for climate restoration. He highlights the power of human ingenuity, from marine cloud brightening to using whale poop as a catalyst for ocean biodiversity. The conversation sheds light on the importance of diverse solutions rather than single fixes and underscores the urgent need to shift our cultural mindset towards nature as we tackle the climate crisis.

Kingsmill Bond, an Energy Strategist at RMI and former city analyst, shares his optimistic vision for the energy transition. He argues that we peaked in fossil fuel demand a decade ago and predicts a fossil-free future in just five years. Bond challenges misconceptions around renewable costs, drawing parallels to past tech shifts. He discusses China’s leading role in electrification, the financial sector’s rapid shift toward renewables, and calls for crucial actions against climate change, including ending fossil fuel subsidies.

Hannah Ritchie and Rob Stewart are fascinated by solutions to the climate crisis and the innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists behind them. They want to shine the spotlight on the people working tirelessly to change the narrative on the climate crisis to show that there's brilliant stuff going on out there, and that all isn't lost.Subscribe to the feed now to listen to the first two episodes when they drop next Thursday 7th November.Transcriptions available: https://solvingforclimate.substack.com/Co-hosts Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor and Lead Researcher, Our World in Data @_HannahRitchie Rob Stewart, Co-founder and Director of Sustainability, KobaSubscribe to Hannah's Substack 'Sustainability by numbers'Want to get in touch? Email solvingforclimate@gmail.comMaddie Drury, Series Producer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.