Historical Technology Revolution Parallels

• 1992 text messaging example: telecoms expert predicted fundamental communication change
  • Initial skepticism about moving from voice calls to finger/thumb screen tapping
  • First text message sent 1992, slow start then explosive growth
  • Paved way for smartphone revolution
• Speaker's Nokia experience 1993: witnessed technological revolution firsthand
• Technology trends follow exponential change curve, difficult to predict/comprehend

Climate Action Urgency and Current State

• Climate impacts hitting harder daily
• Severe lack of ambition in:
  • Reducing emissions
  • Adapting to impacts
  • Providing crisis response means
• Less than 7 years (now to 2030) to halve global emissions
• Current speed insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C
• Global stocktake by UNFCCC completing this year confirms hard truth

Exponential Change Examples in Clean Technology

• Electric vehicles (Detroit context):
  • Expected to reach 70% of sales by 2030
• Solar energy growth trajectory:
  • 2010-2020: 20 gigawatts to 150 gigawatts installed
  • 2023: expected 350 gigawatts per year
  • 2030: projected 1,000 gigawatts per year
• Change can come fast but time constraints critical

Social Tipping Points and Historical Context

• Public opinion has tipping points like technology
• Anti-apartheid campaign example:
  • Generations of slow progress
  • System many thought would never change
  • Sudden tipping point when pressure became too great
• Foundation-shaking demonstrations created change

Individual and Collective Action Framework

• UNFCCC role as:
  • Process custodians
  • Agreement defenders
  • Party champions
• Current global state: "The Dithering" (Kim Stanley Robinson)
  • Indecision and inaction facing global crisis
• Countries will boost action if enough people encourage them

Specific Action Items for Individuals

• Political engagement:
  • Contact representatives about climate delivery plans
  • Ask what they're doing to address climate concerns
  • Direct citizen engagement changes positions repeatedly
• Consumer choices:
  • Ask "Is this the greenest option?" with every purchase
  • Discuss green choices with others
• Education and mobilization:
  • Learn new things
  • Educate others
  • Human organization creates change

Skills-Based Climate Contribution

• Don't need to be politician or prominent business person
• Climate action requires all skill sets
• Self-assessment questions:
  • What am I passionate about?
  • What am I good at?
  • What am I training for?
  • How can I apply this to climate crisis?
• Take action using existing skills and interests