Introducing Climate on the Edge
Curious about cloud seeding? Solar radiation modification? Towing glaciers? Fertilizing the ocean? Here's what else is out there.
I’m excited to announce a new project called Climate on the Edge. It’s a podcast about what’s at the true frontier of climate change intervention.
Our topical focus is 50% carbon removal, which is both established and emerging, yet in practice is still full of theoretical unknowns and implementation uncertainties.
The other 50% is everything else at the frontier of climate intervention. Curious about cloud seeding? Solar radiation modification? Towing glaciers? Fertilizing the ocean? Rewilding the arctic? Space based energy? Stay tuned.
The climate math tells us that even with a robust energy transition, we’re still likely to surpass safe global temperature thresholds. This suggests that further interventions and technologies may be necessary to ensure planetary stability and survival, but too few of us are having these necessary conversations today.
A peek behind closed doors
All around the world, these tools of tomorrow are already being built.
In private circles and behind closed doors, within labs and situation rooms, ideas are blooming and conversations are bubbling. These discussions explore frontier, potentially game-changing climate interventions that are so nascent they’re almost fantasy — the bleeding edge of collapse mitigation. Yet, almost no one is talking about these possibilities to the majority of folks who are dedicated to climate action.
Climate on the Edge is a space for hosting these conversations publicly. We believe that more participation leads to better and more equitable outcomes, and we think it’s time for everyone to get smarter about the climate tools that may ultimately prove necessary.
We’re living on the edge
Here’s where we currently stand:
We’ve already crossed six of the nine planetary boundaries outlined by Johann Rockstromm.
We’ve approaching tipping point territory for four to five major planetary systems.
Climate change can pass the ‘feel’ test in any and every geography in the world.
And yet, much of the conversation, especially within the climate tech corner of Climate World that produces and commercializes potentially world-changing innovation, has stayed focused on “let’s build renewables / other alternatives and eliminate fossil fuels.” This approach is right, but incomplete because it doesn’t solve for the single most critical factor in preventing climate collapse: time.
Historical emissions, the thermal inertia of the oceans, the release of methane and nitrous oxide from permafrost destruction and uncertainties about climate sensitivity mean that even negative emissions may not prevent runaway heating on the timescale necessary.
So what else can we do?
Creating space for the discerning voices of doers
In today’s information environment, flashy takes and media-spun headlines can overshadow the nuanced, rigorous work being done in emerging fields.
Our goal is to create space for the discerning voices of doers.
Many intriguing climate change interventions are misunderstood or even completely unknown to people who care about climate. Research and exploration require funding, which depends on awareness. This is our team’s first effort to build the top of the funnel for the most relevant, highest impact climate interventions that are bubbling up at the edge.
Who all is behind this?
Earlier this year, I experimented with a Climate Money podcast that I wrote, hosted, produced and distributed on my own. Through it, I realized that I’d much rather create with friends.
For Climate on the Edge, I’m joined by Asa Kamer, former producer of the far-reaching Carbon Removal Newsroom podcast, Mehrad Yaghmai, my partner from the Climate Change for VCs days, Brian Ames, a climate and business savant who’s been a guiding light for research into topics and guests, and Kirsti Chou, a climate investor, philanthropist and all-around enabler.
Join us on the journey to the edge
We believe there’s still space to be hopeful, and we want to share the everyday magic of science, technology and human discovery that’s everywhere in our world. We think saving the world can be thrilling and fun, and we want to gather up everyone else who agrees.
In the next few episodes, we’ll cover the next frontier in CDR, how cutting contrails might be the cheapest climate solution out there, and talk to some of the exciting finalists for the XPRIZE carbon removal award.
With that we’re excited to introduce Climate On The Edge with our first three episodes:
As for my personal why, I’m driven by discovery — the chance to see the full scope of what we can do to ensure a safe climate for humanity and for all living beings — and I’m excited for you to come along.
I'm excited that you'll be covering the way-out-there, frontier climate solutions. We'll probably need a bunch of them whether we like it or not. It's clutch to start a dialogue.
Love to see this Susan! Super excited to see this new iteration of your content, which is always top-notch.