Zero 2030
Another day, another report. I’m still getting the feeling that the world is stalling on the necessary action. How can humanity achieve Zero Carbon in the next few years? What does that look like? At both the macro and micro scale of our global systems, we need transformation. The question now is, are we clever enough (great) apes to meet this challenge?
Quite probably, yes. We have the technology and knowledge to transform, our challenge lies in the morals, willpower and commitments by us all. There is so much fascinating complexity to unpick. Where we live in the world, our geographical context for climate action, adaptation and mitigation, will change what is needed, where, by whom, but not when.
I write now in Portugal. Happy and privileged enough to be listening to birds and insects, whilst writing in comfort. The threat of fire will be real this summer, after a prolonged winter of barely any rain. Two days ago, they cut all the pines along the road opposite this house to manage the fire risk. I’m not sure how much that would help. Others are already perishing in the heat.
We can reach net zero, with only the minimum amount of CO2 ie. that which will be absorbed through functioning natural systems. All other systems that currently use fossil fuels will be transformed and using different energy sources. In preparation for an online event I’m talking at, here’s a few of my thoughts around our approach to the challenge of achieving zero carbon by 2030.
Energy, our lives depend on it and as we’re finding out more sharply in many places, it is getting more expensive. Expanding fossil fuels is not the answer. We must #KeepItInTheGround. Switching to green energy suppliers is the most simple solution and can be applied to individuals and businesses. Recommendations for policy-makers to deliver the necessary changes include increasing solar and wind capacity as demand drives it.
Shifting our transport fuel use to Electric Vehicles, offering area-based car-pooling options to reduce individual necessity, providing innovative urban mobility options, good public transport and walkable neighbourhoods are just some answers. Getting our homes and buildings in order too, by insulating and retrofitting to reduce consumption and waste. Drive down excess consumption, whilst building the capacity of renewables.
This rapid renewable transformation creates jobs, many skilled, and builds a different economy. Whilst it does nothing for the shareholder pockets of the fossil fuel giants, it is time for them to step aside and either transform themselves or consign themselves to history.
We should weave stronger policies around the Polluter Pays Principle, consider the loss of jobs to technology and maybe, tax robots to pay for societies needs. Strategic work can help build the collaborations necessary for circular, doughnut and local economies. Investment in the global south, protection of indigenous peoples rights and lands, a movement away from warring and towards the realisation that, we are only one species, closely bound to the myriad of other species who share our planet.
We are already transforming. The covid pandemic has led to the Great Resignation, coupled with an equally ferocious loss of jobs and life throughout this tragic crisis. How we approach life after this intrusive shock is an interesting question. These times have been a reflective opportunity when the world of risk was laid squarely at our doors. The impact of climate and biodiversity breakdown might have considerably greater effects.
And, we are already transforming. Investment at the global scale is beginning, policy-makers can accelerate this. Our roles will be to choose leaders who have a vision for the future. Better still, our roles will be to participate in decision-making in a far more active way.
There will be no single, magic solution to tackling the challenges we collectively share in our lives. Instead we have a toolbox of solutions. With investment some new technologies might radically change our relationship with our natural world, including how we farm meat, freeing up space for habitats to rewild and our natural systems to stabilise and recover.
The story of our future, and how we live without carbon, is far more joyful than the Business As Usual outlook. What our world looks like is really in all our hands. Especially in these times of war, inflation, being able to eat and survive, it is easy to delay and be overwhelmed with the day-to-day. Taking action to reduce carbon, waste, build caring communities and nurture our living world can be chalked up as positives. There is hope in what we do.
More and more people are seeking fulfilling lives, movements for better neighbourhoods exist across communities everywhere, from scientists and architects, to the vast range of grassroots groups. Businesses and organisations are thinking differently, and can freely access resources to support their journeys to zero carbon.
We all have ideas and dreams about what life should be like, often these dreams are shared by others around us. These next few years have the potential to be exciting times. Together we have a unique chance to shape the future transition by taking action in whatever sphere of influence, interest and enjoyments we have in our lives. Our views and contexts might differ, but our end goals can align; “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” What worlds will we create?
