How Could We?
The climate crisis is a systemic and complex global issue that threatens the way we live and causes extreme uncertainty about the future. With its impacts being felt more often and more severely around the world, we are left wondering: How could we have left this happen?
A growing number of people and organisations have recognised that working through gradual, incremental changes is not enough. What we need today is a fundamental transformation of economic, social and financial systems that will trigger exponential change in decarbonisation rates and strengthen climate resilience.
At EIT Climate-KIC, I launched a podcast to shine a light on the solutions making a real difference. Join us for a series of conversations about building hope, curiosity – and excitement – for a just and desirable future that is compatible with our planetary boundaries. Here, we explore how innovation in human systems could be at the heart of re-imagining our future, and hear from some remarkable people who are putting truly transformative solutions into practice. We ask them: How could we achieve a climate resilient, inclusive and beautiful world for everyone?
You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Spotify for Podcasters, Amazon Music, Apple Podcast.
EPISODE 1
Using wood to substitute fossil-based products
Forests are an essential ally in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. They function as carbon sinks and help reduce the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, forests suffer from many different pressures, including climate change and inactive forest management. With the current climate and cost-of-living crisis, it is more important than ever to take care of our public lands and use the tools available to help adapt to changing conditions.
But there is an inherent issue: by using trees to create forest products, aren’t we contributing further to the climate breakdown? To answer this question we talk to Daniel Zimmer, Director Sustainable Land Use at EIT Climate-KIC.
EPISODE 2
HOW TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE CITIES OF THE FUTURE
In this second episode, we interview Syakaa William, a project manager from Dalberg Advisors. Syakaa is based in Tanzania and works on a range of development challenges such as improving food systems, providing access to quality education and employment as well as supporting the circular economy. He works together with EIT Climate-KIC on the Climate Smart Forest Economy Programme in East Africa.
Syakaa talked about why timber is a good construction solution for East Africa, the challenges of building a market in the region, East African timber pioneers and what is being done to equip the next generation of engineers and architects with the skills required for building with mass timber.
EPISODE 3
Developing Europe’s first ‘Forest-to-City’ value chain for affordable housing
In this third episode, we interviewed Tena Petrovic, an urban specialist working with EIT Climate-KIC as a Breakthrough Initiative Developer on the Climate Smart Forest Economy Programme.
Tena introduces us to the Bauhuette 4.0 project, which aims to use home-grown timber from regional Brandenburg and Berlin forests to supply construction materials to create affordable housing from wood
Tena talked about the importance of bringing together different stakeholders on a project like this, the challenges of forest mismanagement and how long-term planning will lead to Bauhuette 4.0’s success – and eventual replication.
EPISODE 4
COMING up
Coming up