Session 4 - CLIMATE CHANGE & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Lead Diver : H Sharma

Agenda:

1. What are current CO2 emissions & what's our goal (51 Billion to Zero)?

Primary greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane (26 X CO2), and nitrous oxide (260 X CO2)
Currently emitting 51 billion tons of GSGs every year
The goal is to reach 0 by 2050
Really tough to achieve these goals given social, geo-political and economic factors
If we were to achieve these goals by 2050, the plan must be in motion by 2030

2. What are the effects of climate change?

Change of climate patterns across the globe
Most powerful storms, hurricane, droughts & floods
Highest impact on the poor (farmers, coastal communities, below the equator pop, etc.)
The second order effects would hit us all (frequent recessions, credit system failure, banking failure, unpredictable monitory & fiscal polices, etc.)
Rising ocean levels is not the biggest worry (but will cause major displacements)
Marine & other wildlife to take a huge hit given change in overall climate
and many more....

3. Biggest emitters of GSGs?

Making things is not just limited cement, steel and plastic but it is over 80% - plastic doesn't contribute anywhere close to as much as steel and cement
Electricity is not just 27% of the total emissions but more - it requires electricity to make things, run electric cars, grow things, etc.

4. What can govt. do?

Businesses & individuals work on narrow thinking and the incentives for them aren't as attractive
Continue to fund the research
Create incentives for businesses and individuals to innovate and change behavior (e.g., Nuclear Fusion/Fission, Carbon Tax, etc.)
Policy is more powerful than any other individual, company or industry
Provide incentive to go green

5. What are the top industries poised for success?

Useful links:

https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/14/bill-gates-concepts-to-understand-the-climate-crisis.html

Deep Divers