Climate Change: The 80|20 Solution
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People worldwide are asking “What Can I Do?” to make a positive climate impact. They’re usually met with complex answers that dive into chemical reactions, long history lessons, technology nuances, and political debates.
The 80|20 Solution helps everyone cut through the noise and understand what a cleaner, healthier, inclusive climate future looks like and how we get there. This rule isn't about formulas and technicalities - it's about focusing on the things that matter most in solving climate change.
It starts with directly addressing the underlying cause of climate change: we have a growing amount of air pollution that traps heat and causes a rise in global temperatures. This pollution is almost entirely from two specific carbon gasses: Carbon Dioxide and Methane. The way we address climate change is by continuously reducing the amount of these carbon pollutants being released or already present in the air we breathe.
An important note is that a simple rule doesn’t mean a simple solution. The 80|20 Solution’s simplicity allows us to focus on what matters most, ignore distractions, and maximize the chance all 8 billion of us can enjoy the abundant and inclusive climate future we deserve. A better future resonates beyond borders, politics, and cultures. It's a unity of purpose that binds all of us together.
The "80": Our Clean Energy Quest
The number “80” represents the fact that nearly 80% of our climate challenge is resolved through a transition to cheap, carbon-free energy sources. This is our Clean Energy Quest and it’s where the journey toward a healthier planet is already delivering results.
By addressing the ways we power our lives, we tackle 78.4% of the climate challenge head-on. This includes our cars that zip through city streets, the energy that lights up our homes, and the industries that produce our products and services. Imagine a future powered by energy that lets us breathe cleaner air, drink purer water, and spend less of our hard-earned money. This quest can also ensure vulnerable people and marginalized communities - individuals who are often located closest to the sources of polluting gasses - are no longer treated as second-class citizens.
The "20": Nature's Anthem
The “20” stands for the fact that 21.6% of our climate solution lies in a harmony between our farms, forests, and other lands. We call this Nature’s Anthem because it involves a symphony where farms prosper, forests flourish, and natural ecosystems thrive.
Imagine agricultural lands nurtured to their fullest potential, methane emissions tamed, and deforestation subdued. This is Nature's Anthem, where we work with nature to secure our own sustenance while also being stewards of the planet for future generations.
Your Role in this Prosperous Future
You're already an important player in this symphony of change. As you read these words, you're stepping into a world of potential. As we unite, our voices become a chorus that CEOs, heads of state, policymakers, and others can't ignore. Together, we create ripples that turn into unstoppable waves of positive change.
Our future lies with a world where fresh air is the norm, cheap clean energy reigns, landscapes burst with life, streams run crystal-clear, and humanity and nature live in harmony. This isn’t some distant dream - it's a tangible reality shaped by The 80|20 Solution. Together, we have the power to create a better destiny for everyone on our planet. This reality is something we all contribute to - a legacy that defines us and paves the way for those we care about most now and in the future.
A note on the detailed numbers below…
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The numbers are big. Really big. So big they’re quite hard to conceptualize. Each year we’re adding about 50 BILLION Tonnes of carbon gasses into the atmosphere. This is 50 Billion METRIC Tonnes. Each Metric Tonne is equal to about 1.1 US Ton. So 50 Billion Tonnes = 55 Billion US Tons. For comparison, an average car weighs less than 2 US Tons.
The 80|20 Solution tells us…
Energy accounts for about 44 Billion US Tons of carbon pollution annually
Nature accounts for about 11 Billion US Tons of carbon pollution annually
The positive note is this: every day counts.
Every day we accelerate toward a clean future and keep 150 Million US Tons of pollution out of the air we breathe. Each year of acceleration keeps 55 Billion Tons out of our lungs, out of our streams, and out of our communities.
So we just need to start.
Let’s stay focused on what matters most. Let’s do this for ourselves, our communities, and our fellow humans.
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