The Future of Climate Change with Dr. Leah Stokes
Leah Stokes
In this episode, Don and Dr. Leah Stokes discuss the state of the climate today, possible climate scenarios for the future, the technologies most important to combating climate change, and what we need to do to protect our planet. Dr. Stokes also outlines the impact of new federal leadership in the United States and the role of international collaboration in preserving the climate.
Season Four of 12 Geniuses is dedicated to exploring the future and how life is sure to change over the next decade. This episode explores the trends that are reshaping the way we combat climate change and the ways in which we can all contribute to stopping the warming of our planet.
Dr. Leah Stokes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and affiliated with the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management and the Environmental Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Dr. Stokes is also the author of Short Circuiting Policy, and co-hosts the podcast “A Matter of Degrees.”
Topics Discussed:
The state of the climate
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Failed pledges to cut carbon emissions
Biden-Harris administration climate change policy
Alternative energy sources
Cost of switching to alternative energy entirely
Importance of battery storage
New technology needed to transition to climate-friendly energy sources
Symptoms of climate change
The fossil fuel industry
The Paris Agreement
Plausible global climate scenarios
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Byproducts of climate change
Rising sea levels
Climate refugees
The Green New Deal
New jobs from clean energy
Reforestation and regenerative agriculture
