How to save the world | Part 1 | Foreign Correspondent Archives

Climate Change: A Global Overview

Key Concepts:

• Carbon Neutrality: Achieving a balance between carbon emissions produced and carbon removed from the atmosphere.
• Renewable Energy: Energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed (e.g., solar, wind, hydro, geothermal).
• Fossil Fuels: Combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary deposits composed mostly of carbonized plant matter (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas).
• Eco-tourism: Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.
• Geothermal Energy: Heat derived from the Earth’s internal thermal energy.
• Offshore Wind Farms: Wind farms constructed in bodies of water, typically the sea, to harness wind energy.
• Glaciers: Persistent bodies of dense ice that are constantly moving under their own weight.
• Sea Level Rise: The increase in the average global sea level, primarily caused by thermal expansion of water and melting of ice.
• IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): The leading international body for assessing climate change.

The Human Impact & The Cost of Carbon

The program begins by highlighting the pervasive and growing threat of climate change, framing it as the world’s biggest problem. It immediately illustrates the human impact with a stark example: a tap in an unnamed location has been without water for two years. This sets the stage for exploring both the current and future consequences of a changing climate, with a sense of urgency conveyed through statements like, “I don’t even want to think about that.”

The cost of inaction is emphasized, particularly regarding rising sea levels. The program notes, “The cost of holding back the sea is enormous and it’s going to increase dramatically over time.” This is contrasted with a hopeful message: “It isn’t too late and science tells us that. You know, now is the door closing? Absolutely.” However, even amidst this optimism, the program acknowledges the potential for despair, referencing “alarmist talk of mega droughts and superstorms.”

A brief vignette in a Paris wine bar illustrates a less obvious impact: changes in wine production due to altered seasons. Evelyn, a wine professional, explains that spring is no longer distinct, with summers arriving earlier, impacting grape growing regions. She notes that Britain and New England are now potential areas for champagne production, a “national calamity” in her view. This example demonstrates the subtle but significant ways climate change is disrupting established industries and traditions.

Costa Rica: A Green Standard

The program then shifts focus to Costa Rica, presented as a model for carbon neutrality. The country is described as an “unlikely success story,” having prioritized education, conservation, and healthcare over a military. Costa Rica aims to eliminate fossil fuels within six years, demonstrating a “real commitment” from both industry professionals and citizens.

Specifically, the state power company, ICC, ran the country’s entire power grid on 100% renewable energy for 75 consecutive days. This is achieved through a diverse mix of energy sources: hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal, leveraging the country’s abundant natural resources. Elberalgo, a spokesman for ICC, confirms the ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2021.

Eco-tourism is a major driver of Costa Rica’s economy, being the largest source of foreign revenue. Donald Bareloto and his wife Pip, who run a farm and tourist lodge, emphasize Costa Rica’s high standards for conservation. Pip Kelly, having moved from Australia, contrasts Costa Rica’s investment in renewables with Australia’s continued reliance on coal, expressing hope that other nations will learn from Costa Rica’s example. The country’s success is attributed to early, forward-thinking decisions prioritizing conservation and education.

A UN diplomat, originally from Costa Rica, highlights the country’s unique position – lacking fossil fuel resources but being richly endowed with renewable energy sources. She emphasizes the scientific consensus that 75% of fossil fuel reserves must remain untapped to limit warming to 2°C, particularly impacting coal.

Germany’s Energy Transformation (Energiewende)

The program then moves to Germany, showcasing its “Energiewende” – a national policy to transition to renewable energy. Northern Germany is depicted as a landscape dominated by wind turbines. The Brodes family exemplifies the community-based ownership model, holding shares in a local wind farm that contributes significantly to their income (up to 50% in some years).

The wind farm allows them to maintain their agricultural lifestyle and pursue self-sufficiency, utilizing solar panels for winter heating and growing much of their own food. This model is prevalent in the Schleswig-Holstein province, where wind farms are seen as income sources rather than eyesores.

Germany is also investing heavily in offshore wind farms, which are more expensive to build and maintain (€1.3 billion for the featured farm) but offer consistent wind resources. Government regulation, mandating utilities to purchase renewable power at a fixed price, has been crucial in making these projects profitable.

However, the Energiewende has also led to higher power prices, with families paying a renewable levy of over $300 per year. The closure of nuclear reactors after the Fukushima disaster increased reliance on brown coal, creating a challenge. Despite these hurdles, entrepreneurs like Henning Hol are optimistic about the future of wind and solar, believing they will surpass nuclear energy. The program notes that Germany has created 400,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector and now derives 30% of its electricity from renewables.

Scientific Evidence from Antarctica

The program concludes with a visit to King George Island in Antarctica, the fastest warming region in the Southern Hemisphere. Senior research scientist Peter Convey explains that the region’s warming is an indicator of global climate processes driven by carbon dioxide emissions from industrialization.

He points to the rapid retreat of glaciers (one has receded 1.7 km in 60 years) and the expansion of seawater as key contributors to sea level rise. NASA’s radar flights over West Antarctica reveal the accelerating disintegration of the Pine Island and Thuaits glaciers.

Convey expresses frustration that scientific evidence is often dismissed or politicized, particularly when it conflicts with economic or political interests. He emphasizes the importance of objective research and the need to address climate change based on scientific understanding. The program ends with a visual transition to a land of rising water, hinting at the continued exploration of climate change’s consequences.

Data & Statistics Mentioned:

• Solar Industry Employment (California): 55,000 employees (more than Twitter, Google, Facebook, and Apple combined).
• Antarctic Peninsula Warming: Average temperature rise of 2.8°C over 50 years.
• Glacier Retreat (Antarctica): One glacier has retreated 1.7 km in 60 years.
• German Renewable Energy Jobs: 400,000 jobs created.
• German Renewable Energy Production: 30% of electricity from renewables.
• German Renewable Levy: Over $300 per year for families.
• Offshore Wind Turbine Wingspan: 120 meters.
• Offshore Wind Turbine Energy Generation: One turbine can generate enough electricity for an average family for a year.
• German Support for Energiewende: 93% of Germans support the energy transition.