New ideas shed light on addressing climate issues

Environmental scientist Hannah Ritchie discusses how technological advances could lead to a more sustainable future in the face of climate challenges.

Ezra Klein reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• Clean energy technology is making strides, providing a hopeful outlook for sustainable development.
• The environmental impact of livestock farming highlights the importance of finding solutions for food production that align with sustainability goals.
• The politics of implementing large-scale climate initiatives remain complex and challenging, but progress in technology is opening doors to potential solutions.

Key quote:

"These are tractable problems. They’re not easy problems. They’re really, really difficult to tackle, but they’re tractable."

— Hannah Ritchie, lead researcher at Our World in Data.

Why this matters:

Innovations in clean energy and agriculture will play a significant role in shaping a sustainable future, but the road ahead will require cooperation, determination, and effective policy. Read more: The global food system is failing small-scale farmers — here’s how to fix it.