All the talk these days is achieving “net zero”, a state where we the Earth absorbs as much carbon as we emit. Is this achievable? After all, from a global point of view, the vast majority of our energy still derives from fossil fuel. Not sure? See all of the news about OPEC and other energy producing companies. They are still doing well. And what about our agriculture and deforestation? Achieving “net zero” means a complete change to the global economy and probably how we live our lives. Can we do it? At what cost?

This means all of us will have to change the way we live, the way we work, the way we play, the way we socialize. Drive electric cars. Only travel when you have to. Only use energy (and it better come from clean sources) when you have to.

What might be scariest is the how. There is no magic solution, a magic “pill”, nothing even a well-intentioned company can invent something to achieve net zero with no impact on our lifestyles. Also, it will take all of us, every country to change our ways of life for net zero. If one major country decides not to take part for foolish political reasons of an egotistical autocrat, we probably will not achieve net zero. Can we act as people on one planet to make the changes needed to propel us to net  zero? Here’s what must happen – at a minimum:

• Governments and the public must encourage research and development of new products and innovations to make low- or no-carbon options feasible, affordable, and and acceptable. Yes, that may mean “taking sides” or investing in technologies that may turn out not to work, but we must take this risk to achieve innovations that will help us achieve net zero. For those of us old enough, we remember the race to the Moon in the 1960’s. Those innovations had a much greater positive impact on our lives beyond taking astronauts to outer space!
• Markets and financial institutions must recognize the importance of these new products, too, and change their mindset from reward only those that make short-term profits, but also those that work on risky ventures, too.
• But making good products is not enough. We must have the strength to invest in actually implementing them so they are available and affordable to all around the globe. What use is an electric car if there are not enough charging stations to make its use practical for everybody? That may mean “tearing up” a lot of infrastructure to make the innovations practical and, therefore, costly, for little short-term gain. But these changes and inconveniences must occur.
• Governments must cooperate internally. Governments must spend the resources on infrastructure and other non-glamorous items to allow the proliferation of these products, even if they are not politically palatable. Politicians and people must stop sniping at innovations, just because they are new or different.
• And governments must cooperate externally, too. Governments must band together to encourage innovation and not to keep discoveries “in-house” only. In addition, governments must make sure that successful innovations be implemented not only for the short-term gain of their own citizens but be rolled out to the entire global population. Governments should not be afraid to pass laws that mandate carbon emission standards or otherwise mandate or encourage the use of these technologies and should coordinate these laws with other governments.

To avoid major catastrophes that will cost all of us much more in lives, money, and quality of life in the future it will be important to be successful in all of these areas.

CCES has the experts to help your company address Climate Change issues, such as determining thoughtful strategies to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.