What brings you optimism about climate action?
Episode Description:
The United Nations Sustainability Development Goals has been a great rallying point for global action. But did you know they are set to expire in 2030? The next decade will prove decisive on achieving our climate targets. I asked each of our guests this season what brought them optimism about climate impact. It is easy to become cynical about action to mitigate or avert climate crises. So for our guests, what do they see that brings them hope?
Interview by Jimmy Jia (www.jimmyjia.com)
Music by Sean Hart (www.seanhart.com)
Website: www.leversforchangepodcast.com
Several pointed to the urgency of the problem, and the opportunities it creates. Ben Kott, CEO of LightsourceBP Lab reflected that there are now climate 'carrots' of opportunities, not just the stick of punishment.
Prachi Vakharia, who worked a number of transportation companies saw the same evolution in corporate America.
For Jud Virden, who has been on the cutting edge of technology innovation, with his career at Pacific Northwest National Labs, he has seen steady progress, albeit behind-the-scenes. He's optimistic that the cause is becoming more mainstream.
At the global level, Jay Bruns, Senior Climate Policy Advisor to the WA State Insurance Commissioner, reflected on the greater visibility climate is getting from regulators across the US and globally. But the actions need to happen faster.
Closer to home, Suzanne Singer, of Native Renewables, saw a rising interest in junior high and high school.
It's this next generation that gives Stacy Flynn, CEO of Evernu, her optimism. It's not just about the leaders of today, it's also about cultivating the leaders for the second half of the 21st century.
So there you have it - lots of reasons to be optimistic about our progress. As Jud pointed out, there's lots to do and as Jay is concerned about, will the change happen fast enough. However, the growing number of people who are working on it, talking about it, and embedding it into their work and lives, is one cause to be optimistic about the future of climate action.