How Sci-Fi Informs Our Climate Future - and What to Do Next | Zainab Usman | TED

Science fiction authors have warned us for decades: division among global leaders can quickly create dystopia. Political economist Zainab Usman thinks present-day power struggles may seriously hinder the world’s ability to fight climate change, with similarly disastrous results. She highlights three areas of particular economic concern, urging scholars, business leaders and policymakers to do more to align against the growing threat. (Contains spoilers for "The Three-Body Problem" by Liu Cixin)
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[@concernedcitizen7385]

Us owning nothing and you telling us that we’re happy - that’s what it’s all about.

[@andycordy5190]

Beautifully presented. Yes, of course collaboration and responsible harvesting of essential commodities is crucial. Unfortunately, the leading agencies are showing no interest in such actions. Profit is king.

[@Alepfi5599]

Reduce emissions. That's it. It's like loosing weight, you just gotta reduce the calorie intake. It's really that simple, no need for all the fancy stuff around it.

[@Agoodpro]

But see- it's really not that simple. There are so many factors that go into play when talking about the idea of reducing carbon emissions to a level that doesn't raise the planet's temperature; and that level is ≤ 0.

[@thomasel9171]

What you dont seem to realize is even if every individual on earth reduced their emissions to near zero, it wouldn't make much of a difference, its heavy industry and manufacturing that creates the most emissions

[@badandy1983]

Quit talking about it at a level that it does not exist. It’s about money and control more than anything.

[@NoldorianElf]

Does it ever occur to you that research, new technology and development offers new jobs and make money. Clinging the known, because one is used to it and it has alway worked? Really? Did it? What do think the industrial fossile energy does? It‘s about money and control. I am old enough to remember the oil crisis in the 70s. That’s when you could have learn how money and control works. Control of oil became known as the "oil weapon". It came in the form of an embargo and production cutbacks from the Arab states. Ban Sunday driving and also ration oil supplies to industries. What fun that was. Strolling, cycling and playing on a highway.

[@Lindsay4182]

Don't be silly. It was 70 degrees Fahrenheit in Chicago in February. Insane.

[@juliahanerable]

It starts with the top people.. we can try and try different things to help climate but the top 1% of the 1% don't want change.

[@weareparamore1597]

Climate denialism comes from the west

[@matti934]

'long term' and 'people' in the same sentence. Unfortunately we are doomed so enjoy while you can. Peace

[@akuma2124]

What happened? this looks like a re-upload. I remember seeing this on this TED like 2-3 weeks ago, now this one says it was uploaded 4 days ago.

[@mikeullyett]

Oh please...

[@davidklein6518]

Kim Stanley Robinson's "sci-fi" THE MINISTRY OF THE FUTURE discribes how that world collaberation might take place to effect climate change. I thought she might have mentioned it.

[@lorenzoblum868]

Btw, the carbon / toxicity boot print of the elephant in the room aka the military industrial complex anybody?

[@natas12rm]

I mean ending the nordstream they way they did shows how much they really care. Maybe John Kerry can take a private jet to talk about it.

[@mistressfreezepeach]

shortly after the SMO in Ukr. began they declared the MIC as sustainable. Just raise the ESG score. So it's fine, don't worry.

[@thomasel9171]

Now look at china and india...

[@lorenzoblum868]

@@thomasel9171 but but but China, India and Sponge Bob...

[@LegendLength]

@@lorenzoblum868 Do you think they'd hold back when the US defense is weak?

[@gillbates21]

it is already too late

[@elinope4745]

Since 2014, but they don't like to talk about that.

[@flavio-p]

Maybe stop using direct energy weapons to burn massive swaths of land.

[@elinope4745]

They'll cry about man made climate change and then protect the men who are changing the climate, and try to blame it on the people who just had their house burned down.

[@ericw3517]

What fight against climate change? In America, on day 1 we're going to close the border and drill, drill, drill.

[@elinope4745]

If we succeeded in closing the borders it would lead to massive greenhouse gas reduction over time. Immigration has been used to offset population decline since the early 1980's. Immigrants and their direct descendants, to include 2nd and third generation immigrants since 1984 make up half of USA's greenhouse gas emissions. They had much smaller ecological footprints in their home countries but were imported into a massive increase in pollution. I can't take any pro-immigration environmentalist seriously. Immigration is the largest part of the climate change problem.

[@rodm1949]

THE OTHERS generally practice low carbon useage, beacause they are outside the metropolis of consumpsion. In severe climate change the northern hemisphere is - politely put "rooted" due to weather influx and consumer panic. Whom can not accept a change in their routine or lack of options. If an element towards a sane level of consumption is displayed by the Not Others, the simple stop to junk mail and laminating of useless production would have a significant impact for the good.

[@markwawrinchuk1816]

Ur full of it!

[@badshahbhartibadshahbaba7702]

👍👍

[@sheep.herder]

how about you plant the trees cut by corporate greed

[@mariaantoniettamontella9173]

brava

[@LegendLength]

Let me guess it requires us paying massive amounts to the government?

[@EvilSt0ner]

Before they talked about climate change you would rarely see oil tankers on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Now its the opposite, you rarely see cargo containers. I'm also convinced a lot of protected land has been burned down intentionally in order to expand these operations. I drove across Canada 15 years ago and then again a few weeks ago and all i seen was expansion of "dirty oil".

[@psifiusc]

I'm still waiting for human behavior to make any kind of rational argument in favor of the value of our survival. Our egos and fears treat it as a given that humanity should survive but nothing else about us gives evidence for that premise. Humanity is not a project worthy of support. I root for all of the better species, but I fear we will inevitably take them all down with us. Just look at the focus of even talks like this: the emphasis is always on *human* well-being and survival, as though we will never stop believing we are all that really matters. But human nature guarantees the path we are on, making the hopes behind the kinds of wishful dreams talks like this are built on irrational things to expect. The very definition of Wealth is essentially the control of resources beyond what one needs for their own survival. So the wealthy -- those with the resources to do anything about the situation -- are the most extreme examples of the human/primate desire to be the ones controlling resources, if for no other reason than to signal "alpha" status. Add to that our tendency to prioritize short term gain over longer term wisdom, and our inherent aversion to any perception of personal loss (in resources, status, etc), and it becomes obvious that if you tell the wealthy that time is running short, their response will simply be to grab all they can while they can. They will just redouble their efforts to hold onto as much of the world as they can as it burns. It would be nice if AI could develop soon enough to surgically remove us for the good of the planet and all other species, but I don't think there is time.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

Except these sci fi stories were all written by members of a very specific club who wrote these things to influence the public into thinking this way.

[@Shaita]

I had to stop it... I just started to read the dark forest

[@muddygun]

Don’t worry. She was completely wrong when talking about the book. None of what she says happened

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

Wow I loved this video. It's so inspiring! I know that we can get things on the right track because this short-sighted decision-making is wrecking the lives of everyone and throwing off the balance and coexistence we could be living by now!

[@danjohnston9037]

Besides being the source of the needed materials, the equatorial regions will be the ones beoming the most inhospitable as the result of global warming.

[@sixvee5147]

“I accepted to come to this meeting to have a sober and mature conversation. I’m not in any way signing up to any discussion that is alarmist. There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5C.” - Sultan Al Jaber, President of COP 28, also CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Mukhtar Babayev will be the president for COP 29; he is also a former executive of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijian Republic. Seems more and more likely, scenario SSP5-8.5 of the IPCC assessment may come to fruition (or at least the higher end of the spectrum). I say enjoy what you can, while you still can; pity the generations to come.

[@King.Mark.]

big rock from space ,hold my beer just so you know the last ice age ended 11000 years ago but it started over 2,5 million years ago ,just think about that. pleistocene epoch

[@pumpkinchow]

I haven’t been on this earth very long but in the time since I’ve been here it’s clear that something is wrong. Anyone that doesn’t see that there is a problem truly needs to lift their eyes up from their computer or phone and take a look around. If people would stop being so divided on this subject and start working together this whole world would be in a much better place. Unfortunately I can’t see that happening 🤦‍♂️. Most people rather argue there’s no problem instead of getting their hands dirty 🤷‍♂️. I don’t have much hope for humanity anymore. I honestly feel terrible for the younger generations that won’t see how beautiful and amazing this world used to be. Over 95percent of ocean wildlife has been killed off since the 60s. If that’s not enough to make you think there’s a problem your huge part of the problem. Everyone that is trying to make a difference thank you so much and please keep up the great work you do I truly wish you all the best 🙋‍♂️✌️

[@cheebawobanu]

If you feel so strongly, please feel free to remove yourself from the equation.

[@thomasel9171]

Your mentality is exactly what they want... i think you should take your own advice, look up from your phone once in a while, see things arent as bad as the climate cultists say it is.

[@Sentinel308]

The global climate agenda is often perceived as being driven by monetary interests and a quest for control. It's important to recognize that the natural evolution of technology is likely to bring about improvements. However, it's noteworthy that many of the climate challenges we face today have been present for centuries, well before the industrial revolution began. While it's true that human activities contribute to these issues to some extent, a combination of heightened awareness and technological progression is expected to naturally resolve these problems over time. It's also critical to consider that those who are fervently promoting this agenda may have motives beyond environmental concerns, possibly seeking to impede progress and exert control, largely because they stand to financially benefit from the very issues they claim to be addressing.

[@RoskildeJonas]

What an uneducated opinion. You truly didn't need to share that. The problem with technological progression as a possible solution is that it is too slow to actually matter in a relevant time frame. It is a political perspective from those who do not want to make the necessary changes now. Take for example nuclear power plants. While the idea itself is (probably) good, imagine how long it will take to build, test and activate nuclear power plants. I would guess more than 10 years. That is a problem, both because of how we calculate CO2e reductions toward 2050 and because slow actions will be more volatile to unexpected problems, and will also mean more extreme changes in our CO2e consumption at that later date. You also mention monetary gain as a motivating factors for involved parties. Thousands of scientists calling for action, most employed by universities and thus have little to no monetary gain from pushing this agenda. Meanwhile those actively trying not to push or actively prevent (e.g. through lobbyism) climate change action now DO, in fact, have monetary gain. By selling more oil, by staying in (political) power, etc. I highly recommend that you reconsider your ways.

[@thomasel9171]

​@@RoskildeJonasyou deride them for an uneducated opinion, then proceed to offer your own very uneducated opinion...

[@Tyrian_]

I’m 100% on board with this Ted Talk for zero emissions. I have no hate towards Electric vehicles. The process to make a Gas powered or Battery powered vehicle is harmful to the environment, BUT the latter results in a greener world/ecosystem for our future families/generations. MY ISSUE is that there are more electric vehicles being built faster than their charging stations! Those who own a house are lucky because y’all can charge from home! Remember to recycle♻️💚(please)

[@thomasel9171]

A childs perspective. Really look into electric cars, because the entire process in making them harms the environment much more than gas cars

[@mrhexadus1303]

cut it out.. getting all these good people worked up.

[@omarbaba9892]

Well either way we’re gonna reduce our carbon footprint eventually weather we like it or not given we’re gonna run out of oil

[@nurm.s.h.5840]

No more chemtrails

[@jordanlenos]

Stfu already about this lie

[@georgepanicker61916]

They seriously need to start making Iq tests compulsory for commenting on the internet

[@rapid7060]

There is climate change but it is incredibly unclear whether or not we even have a significant effect on it and its unlikely that it is large enough to really impact and when you research it seems as if its a natural cycle that happens on earth. We are currently in the process of heating and there will be a period of rapid cooling likely in the next 100 years

[@RoskildeJonas]

You are wrong. It is scientifically shown beyond the shadow of doubt, that we have a significant influence on this change. I can understand why thinking otherwise might be a convenience, but I highly recommend that you critically re-explore your sources AND seek out scientifically relevant sources too, especially I recommend that you read the latest IPPC report. They disclose their certainty factors and gather data from hundreds of scientific reports.

[@user-es9qo9hx2r]

​@@RoskildeJonas If one reads IPPC carefully enough, one sees that IPPC casts doubt. The data is good, but the predictions are questionable, especially for people that know how the simulations are conducted. Not all doubters are anti-science. Some are very involved in the science.

[@RoskildeJonas]

@@user-es9qo9hx2rIt sounds like you do not understand how to read the reports then. IPPC does grade their certainty/uncertainty. That is, for instance, the likelyhood of a 4 degree celsius temperature change in year 2100 if we don't reach a certain CO2e reduction goal. They are not entirely sure about those calculations. That is true. That is also natural, as it is an extremely complicated equation. They are not uncertain whether or not our CO2e consumption matters and thereby whether Anthropogenic Global Warming is a fact. I can tell we are both not native speakers, so it is natural it can be hard to understand it fully, but take your time and read it again. Maybe with help.

[@thomasel9171]

​@@RoskildeJonasits a cycle, not an end of the world scenario. This is being pushed as another means of co trol

[@RoskildeJonas]

There is a cycle, but we have broken it. Yearly we have heat and cold records worldwide suggesting not just a chance in the cycle but higher extremes, which isolated points to us altering the cycle. I say isolated because there are plenty of other things that shows that you are wrong in your statement.