WEBVTT
00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.519
Welcome to Talking Climate with Katherine Haeho.
00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:16.800
Each episode, we explore how climate change is affecting the people, places, and things we love, and what we can do to make a difference.
00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:25.039
From science to solutions and stories that inspire, you're in the right place for real talk about real change.
00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:29.600
If you've ever wondered, can we actually fix this and how?
00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:32.799
Then this week's edition is for you.
00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:36.159
I'm turning this edition of Talking Climate over to Dr.
00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:42.079
Jonathan Foley, one of the most compelling voices working on climate solutions today.
00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:54.000
John is a climate scientist, sustainability expert, science communicator, and executive director of Project Drawdown, the world's leading resource for climate solutions.
00:00:54.240 --> 00:01:02.719
The work John and his team do at Project Drawdown is so valuable that I recommend it to someone at least once every single week.
00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:12.640
They have an exhaustive library of the many ways we can fix climate change while also rebuilding and restoring nature and investing in people's health.
00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:20.239
In fact, if you're looking for detailed information about climate solutions, Project Drawdown should be your first stop.
00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:22.000
Take it away, John.
00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:25.680
Good news.
00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:33.040
I've been thinking a lot about the role the world's food system plays in climate change and how we can fix it.
00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:46.640
Most people are surprised to learn that food, agriculture, and land use contribute a whopping 22 to 33% of our greenhouse gas emissions, and that share is still growing.
00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:53.840
Nothing else humans do comes close to the sheer geographic size of the global food system.
00:01:54.079 --> 00:02:01.120
Together, croplands and grazing lands cover 38% of the Earth's land surface.
00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:08.560
To put this in perspective, all the world's cities and suburbs cover less than 1% of Earth's land.
00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:13.840
So we can't fully address climate change unless we deal with this crucial sector.
00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:17.360
But solutions to the problem are abundant.
00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:26.719
We can curb food waste, shift our diets, protect rainforests from being cleared, farm better, and clean up the rest of the food system.
00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:37.680
We can also remove carbon by rewilding lands currently used for agriculture today, and practicing regenerative agriculture on our working lands.
00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:42.159
Not so good news.
00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:46.879
Clearly, this is a challenging time in the climate community.
00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:52.639
Political leadership on climate, particularly in the United States, is falling backward.
00:02:52.960 --> 00:03:03.759
Corporate leadership is stalling in many areas, and even media coverage focused on climate is rolling backward, as Catherine described in this newsletter last week.
00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:11.520
But there are some areas where we are making progress, particularly thanks to better climate solutions hitting the market.
00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:21.840
Solar PVs, wind power, heat pumps, EVs, batteries, LED lighting systems are getting cheaper, faster, and better all the time.
00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:25.520
That means they can beat fossil fuels in the open market.
00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:28.479
And for the first time, they are.
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:36.319
Thanks to these forces, we are finally starting to invest in climate solutions, which is great news.
00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:43.439
In fact, they are helping to drive down emissions in many advanced economies, starting with the electricity sector.
00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:51.360
But sadly, we aren't always putting our money in the best possible places or using the most effective solutions.
00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:59.439
Too often we follow fads, profits, or political payback, not carbon, when investing in climate solutions.
00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:07.280
We need to do much better with our limited time and money and ensure we make the best possible use of our resources.
00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:12.960
We can find solutions that are effective, large, inexpensive, and fast.
00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:23.040
We can also find solutions that offer other benefits to humanity, including clean air, improved health, and greater equity and well-being.
00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:26.480
What you can do.
00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:31.839
When it comes to taking personal actions on climate change, I'm a huge fan.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:37.680
I've been working to reduce my personal emissions on and off since the late 1990s.
00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:43.519
I think shrinking your own carbon footprint is a great way to make a small difference.
00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:51.279
And talking about these changes is a wonderful way to engage and inspire many others to act themselves.
00:04:51.519 --> 00:05:00.319
Each individual action we take can create unseen ripples that influence the larger systems of which we are a part.
00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:05.360
And we will need systemic change to ultimately solve this problem.
00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:16.639
When you switch to an electric vehicle or install solar panels, you reduce your own carbon footprint while also encouraging those around you to make similar choices.
00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:25.759
This also signals to politicians and the market that what's good for the planet is also good for their politics or their bottom line.
00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:28.560
We each have the power to do more.
00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:33.279
As consumers, citizens, employees, and members of our communities.
00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:39.519
In terms of what others can do, find your own paths and not just look at a top 10 list.
00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:47.120
The best choice for you depends on who you are, how you live, and what you are willing and able to do.
00:05:47.360 --> 00:06:05.600
To help guide people to their own climate actions, I want to showcase the new Shift platform, co-produced by Professor Kim Nicholas and Project Drawdown, which helps people find their own climate superpowers as consumers, voters, investors, and more.
00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:17.279
Shift meets you where you are, your country, your lifestyle, your circumstances, and offers concrete, science-based actions that actually fit your life.
00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:28.000
Thank you, John, for reminding us that while climate change is a complex challenge, we already have so many of the solutions we need.
00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:35.839
And often what's missing is just the will to change, which in turn is fueled by knowing that what we do can make a difference.
00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:42.879
If you're looking for more inspiration this week, Drawdown has fantastic resources for everyone working on climate.
00:06:43.120 --> 00:07:01.759
Whether you're a teacher looking for free, engaging videos through Drawdown Learn, a policy wonk who wants to sift through the latest data on countless climate solutions on Drawdown Explorer, or someone who just needs a reminder that hopeful, real-world climate action is already happening.
00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:04.399
That's what Drawdown Stories is for.
00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:08.160
You can find John on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blue Sky.
00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:12.319
Learn more about Project Drawdown by visiting drawdown.org.
00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:17.920
You can also sign up for their newsletter and follow them on social media at Project Drawdown.
00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:30.639
Whether you're looking for the latest research, practical climate solutions, inspiring stories, or tools like Shift to help you find your own climate superpowers, it's one of the best resources I know.
00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:41.680
Thanks for listening to Talking Climate, narrated by Ann Cloud.
00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:49.600
For more resources, links, and actions you can take, check out the full newsletter at www.talkingclimate.ca.
00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:53.279
Until next time, keep talking climate.
00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.519
Welcome to Talking Climate with Katherine Haeho.
00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:16.800
Each episode, we explore how climate change is affecting the people, places, and things we love, and what we can do to make a difference.
00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:25.039
From science to solutions and stories that inspire, you're in the right place for real talk about real change.
00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:29.600
If you've ever wondered, can we actually fix this and how?
00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:32.799
Then this week's edition is for you.
00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:36.159
I'm turning this edition of Talking Climate over to Dr.
00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:42.079
Jonathan Foley, one of the most compelling voices working on climate solutions today.
00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:54.000
John is a climate scientist, sustainability expert, science communicator, and executive director of Project Drawdown, the world's leading resource for climate solutions.
00:00:54.240 --> 00:01:02.719
The work John and his team do at Project Drawdown is so valuable that I recommend it to someone at least once every single week.
00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:12.640
They have an exhaustive library of the many ways we can fix climate change while also rebuilding and restoring nature and investing in people's health.
00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:20.239
In fact, if you're looking for detailed information about climate solutions, Project Drawdown should be your first stop.
00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:22.000
Take it away, John.
00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:25.680
Good news.
00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:33.040
I've been thinking a lot about the role the world's food system plays in climate change and how we can fix it.
00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:46.640
Most people are surprised to learn that food, agriculture, and land use contribute a whopping 22 to 33% of our greenhouse gas emissions, and that share is still growing.
00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:53.840
Nothing else humans do comes close to the sheer geographic size of the global food system.
00:01:54.079 --> 00:02:01.120
Together, croplands and grazing lands cover 38% of the Earth's land surface.
00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:08.560
To put this in perspective, all the world's cities and suburbs cover less than 1% of Earth's land.
00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:13.840
So we can't fully address climate change unless we deal with this crucial sector.
00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:17.360
But solutions to the problem are abundant.
00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:26.719
We can curb food waste, shift our diets, protect rainforests from being cleared, farm better, and clean up the rest of the food system.
00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:37.680
We can also remove carbon by rewilding lands currently used for agriculture today, and practicing regenerative agriculture on our working lands.
00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:42.159
Not so good news.
00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:46.879
Clearly, this is a challenging time in the climate community.
00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:52.639
Political leadership on climate, particularly in the United States, is falling backward.
00:02:52.960 --> 00:03:03.759
Corporate leadership is stalling in many areas, and even media coverage focused on climate is rolling backward, as Catherine described in this newsletter last week.
00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:11.520
But there are some areas where we are making progress, particularly thanks to better climate solutions hitting the market.
00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:21.840
Solar PVs, wind power, heat pumps, EVs, batteries, LED lighting systems are getting cheaper, faster, and better all the time.
00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:25.520
That means they can beat fossil fuels in the open market.
00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:28.479
And for the first time, they are.
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:36.319
Thanks to these forces, we are finally starting to invest in climate solutions, which is great news.
00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:43.439
In fact, they are helping to drive down emissions in many advanced economies, starting with the electricity sector.
00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:51.360
But sadly, we aren't always putting our money in the best possible places or using the most effective solutions.
00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:59.439
Too often we follow fads, profits, or political payback, not carbon, when investing in climate solutions.
00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:07.280
We need to do much better with our limited time and money and ensure we make the best possible use of our resources.
00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:12.960
We can find solutions that are effective, large, inexpensive, and fast.
00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:23.040
We can also find solutions that offer other benefits to humanity, including clean air, improved health, and greater equity and well-being.
00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:26.480
What you can do.
00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:31.839
When it comes to taking personal actions on climate change, I'm a huge fan.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:37.680
I've been working to reduce my personal emissions on and off since the late 1990s.
00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:43.519
I think shrinking your own carbon footprint is a great way to make a small difference.
00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:51.279
And talking about these changes is a wonderful way to engage and inspire many others to act themselves.
00:04:51.519 --> 00:05:00.319
Each individual action we take can create unseen ripples that influence the larger systems of which we are a part.
00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:05.360
And we will need systemic change to ultimately solve this problem.
00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:16.639
When you switch to an electric vehicle or install solar panels, you reduce your own carbon footprint while also encouraging those around you to make similar choices.
00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:25.759
This also signals to politicians and the market that what's good for the planet is also good for their politics or their bottom line.
00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:28.560
We each have the power to do more.
00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:33.279
As consumers, citizens, employees, and members of our communities.
00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:39.519
In terms of what others can do, find your own paths and not just look at a top 10 list.
00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:47.120
The best choice for you depends on who you are, how you live, and what you are willing and able to do.
00:05:47.360 --> 00:06:05.600
To help guide people to their own climate actions, I want to showcase the new Shift platform, co-produced by Professor Kim Nicholas and Project Drawdown, which helps people find their own climate superpowers as consumers, voters, investors, and more.
00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:17.279
Shift meets you where you are, your country, your lifestyle, your circumstances, and offers concrete, science-based actions that actually fit your life.
00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:28.000
Thank you, John, for reminding us that while climate change is a complex challenge, we already have so many of the solutions we need.
00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:35.839
And often what's missing is just the will to change, which in turn is fueled by knowing that what we do can make a difference.
00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:42.879
If you're looking for more inspiration this week, Drawdown has fantastic resources for everyone working on climate.
00:06:43.120 --> 00:07:01.759
Whether you're a teacher looking for free, engaging videos through Drawdown Learn, a policy wonk who wants to sift through the latest data on countless climate solutions on Drawdown Explorer, or someone who just needs a reminder that hopeful, real-world climate action is already happening.
00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:04.399
That's what Drawdown Stories is for.
00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:08.160
You can find John on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blue Sky.
00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:12.319
Learn more about Project Drawdown by visiting drawdown.org.
00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:17.920
You can also sign up for their newsletter and follow them on social media at Project Drawdown.
00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:30.639
Whether you're looking for the latest research, practical climate solutions, inspiring stories, or tools like Shift to help you find your own climate superpowers, it's one of the best resources I know.
00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:41.680
Thanks for listening to Talking Climate, narrated by Ann Cloud.
00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:49.600
For more resources, links, and actions you can take, check out the full newsletter at www.talkingclimate.ca.
00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:53.279
Until next time, keep talking climate.
