Solutions to Climate Change
(Large-scale systemic changes needed to address climate change.)
Speed of Sound
Coldplay
Album: X&Y
The Big Picture
Now that we understand the science behind climate change, the human activities driving it, the urgent need for action, and the challenges that have slowed progress over the past 40 years, the next question is: What are the solutions?
The core solutions are simple: shift to clean energy and cut harmful activities. But governments need to do those things and with governments influenced by self-interest, real systemic change must start with us. We need to make climate change part of our daily thoughts, conversations, and actions (see culture change in motion here). We must unite to pressure politicians toward clean energy and sustainability policies—because only collective action can drive the urgency we need. Oil companies can’t match the power of people who reject a future shaped by climate disaster.
As climate impacts become harder to ignore—like LA wildfires, smoky summer skies here in MN and warmer winters—awareness is growing, but not fast enough and these impacts are only going to get worse. The bottom line: if you want to help change our shared future, you’ll need to commit time and get involved. You’d volunteer for your kids at school if they were in trouble, consider your involvement volunteering for them now. See the News and Community (Ways to Get Involved) section of this website for more information (more coming soon).
Historical Perspective
Prior to 1920, women could not vote.
When people recognize an issue as wrong and advocate for political change, change will occur.
We are going to start this section by providing the overall roadmap to reducing global emissions by 50% by the year 2050 (Paris Agreement’s goal). But because there are so many things that need to happen, we will focus on some of the systemic solutions for the victories that need to occur on this roadmap. And in the next section of this website, we will break these solutions down further into how we as individuals can help meet the 2050 goal.
Emissions by Sector and Path to 50% Reduction by 2050
| Sector | % of Global Emissions (CO₂e) | Main Strategies to Cut Emissions | Estimated Reduction Potential by 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity & Heat | ~36% | Phase out coal and fossil fuels Scale up solar, wind, hydro, nuclear Modernize grids Electrify end-uses (EVs, heat pumps) | ~80% reduction possible |
| Industry | ~24% | Electrify processes Use green hydrogen Carbon capture (CCUS) Material efficiency & circularity | ~50–60% |
| Transport | ~15% | Electrify vehicles Use biofuels, SAFs for aviation Shift to public/mass transit Optimize freight and shipping | ~50–60% |
| Agriculture & Land Use | ~14% | Improve livestock and rice farming practices Reduce food waste Shift to sustainable diets Reforestation and soil carbon sequestration | ~30–50% |
| Buildings (direct emissions) | ~6% | Electrify heating (e.g., heat pumps) Retrofit insulation, windows Smart energy systems | ~60–80% |
| Waste | ~2% | Methane capture from landfills Composting, recycling Waste-to-energy | ~50–70% |
Key Solutions
- Stop burning fossil fuels.
- Fossil fuels are the biggest contributor to global warming.
- The world must transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and nuclear.
- Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy is working to make emissions reduction economically viable.
- End large-scale deforestation.
- 91% of Amazon deforestation is due to livestock farming.
- Forests are the best natural carbon capture system we have—protecting them is critical.
- Shift to an economy based on sustainability instead of infinite growth.
- The world’s economic models require constant expansion, but that’s no longer sustainable.
- We need to transition to a system that values resource conservation over consumption.
- Reduce population strain on resources.
- The human population has outpaced what the Earth can regenerate.
- Population growth policies and sustainable urban planning must be prioritized. Improve global water and agricultural systems.
- Farming practices must adapt to climate-resilient crops and sustainable irrigation.
- Precision agriculture and vertical farming can reduce land and water use. Economic Policies & Green Energy Transition
- Improve global water and agricultural systems.
- Farming practices must adapt to climate-resilient crops and sustainable irrigation.
- Precision agriculture and vertical farming can reduce land and water use.<>
- Economic Policies & Green Energy Transition
- Tax Incentives & The Shift to Renewables.
- "Tax incentives for solar and wind got the technology to a point where it is ready to implement today."
- But policy alone isn't enough—we need stronger incentives to transition away from fossil fuels.
- "We need to increase taxes on fossil fuels to drive the shift to green energy." (Think of it like cigarette taxes: raising costs discourages harmful behavior.)
- Why This Matters
- A price on carbon increases investment in renewables and accelerates the transition.
- Many countries have already implemented carbon taxes, but stronger policies are needed globally.
- Technology & Innovation
- Bill Gates’ Climate Investments (Documentary: What’s Next?)
- Terra Power (Nuclear Energy): A next-gen fission reactor in Wyoming that could revolutionize clean energy.
- Breakthrough Energy: Investing in low-emission technology to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS): While helpful, it cannot erase 100+ years of emissions without immediate emissions cuts.
- Tax incentives for solar and wind energy have already helped drive costs down.
- A similar approach is needed for electric vehicles, heat pumps, and other green technologies.
- Government & Policy Solutions
- Put a price on carbon emissions.
- A carbon tax would push businesses to shift to renewable energy.
- Ban new fossil fuel projects.
- Governments must stop approving new oil drilling, coal plants, and pipelines.
- Invest in climate resilience.
- Cities must adapt by building flood defenses, sustainable infrastructure, and green spaces.
- Subsidize sustainable industries.
- Renewable energy and sustainable agriculture should receive more government funding than fossil fuels.
- Stop deforestation for agriculture.
- Rainforests must be protected to prevent biodiversity collapse and carbon release.
(Make this a separate section with the title The Role of Business in Climate Action with the following verbiage on the right hand side…)
- The Role of Business in Climate Action
- Corporations must be held accountable for emissions.
- The top 100 companies are responsible for over 70% of global emissions.
- Investors and shareholders must push for sustainability.
- Companies with sustainable practices must be prioritized over polluting industries.
- The construction industry must shift to sustainable materials.
- Concrete production alone accounts for 8% of global emissions.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
- The solutions exist—we just need to scale them.
- Governments, corporations, and individuals all have a role to play.
- The cost of action is far less than the cost of inaction.
- "We already know how to solve this crisis. The question is—do we have the courage to do it?"
Regarding Reforestation
Because trees are great consumers of atmospheric carbon, we need more of them. Not only do they sequester carbon, reforestation efforts will build back lost habitats and stabilize biodiversity. But only if we do it right. We always have to remember that plants and animals in a specific area grew together intricately over thousands of years, so when we introduce new species to that area, it can drastically change that local ecosystem. When we look at reforesting an area to reduce climate change, it’s tempting to plant trees that are faster growing to help us draw down carbon faster. But as this video discusses, the right way to reforest an area is to use it’s native tree species.