“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Warren Buffett
In the 1980s, scientists started to realize there was a problem with the ozone layer. The hairspray required for our 80’s styles (along with other aerosols and refrigerants) was burning a hole in the protective layer over Earth. There was an exciting update this week: the hole is closing. So, what are some lessons from fixing the ozone layer?
First, at look back
The ozone layer provides critical protection from too much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Without this invisible shield, crops are at risk, and people are more susceptible to health problems like skin cancer and cataracts. The situation was urgent, so nations around the world got together and created the Montreal Protocol to ban these harmful substances.
What can we learn from fixing the ozone layer?
We know what needs to be done
With the ozone layer, the harmful chemicals were chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). When it comes to climate change, the culprits are predominantly CO2 and methane. Instead of chewing a hole, these heat trapping-gases are doing the opposite. They are thickening the blanket that surrounds the Earth’s atmosphere, and trapping too much of the sun’s heat inside. The solution for climate change is to stop the harmful emissions. We need to do this to stabilize, and ultimately reduce, extreme weather events.
Nations can work together to solve big problems
We live in a global society. CO2 emitted by the US doesn’t only impact us. In fact, the countries who have caused the least emissions are being impacted the most by extreme weather right now.
The climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act are a great start. They show the world the US is serious about doing our part. Every country needs to be on board with the solutions. Many other countries are far ahead of us in their transition from fossil fuels. Others are lagging behind. It’s going to take all of us working together, and the fastest way to get there is the US leading by example.
Our investments now will pay off later
In today’s instant gratification culture, it can be hard to persuade people to make investments for a later benefit. The Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987. Thirty-five years later we are finally seeing proof the plan is working. The same will be true with greenhouse gases. Investments made in renewable energy today will pay dividends in the years ahead.
The goal is to reach net zero emissions by 2050, but it will take some time before the global temperature stabilizes, then begins to decrease. It’s not an easy sell, but the alternative is unimaginable.
The good news is renewables are making more and more financial sense – solar energy is now the cheapest form of energy in history, and investments in clean energy are increasingly appealing. We will also see rapid benefits in terms of public health and reduced healthcare costs. Ultimately, innovation and economics will drive the transition forward.
Some things transcend politics
The Montreal Protocol was unanimously ratified by the US Senate in 1988. President Reagan offered strong leadership and support for this, as well as for the protection of the environment in general. During his State of the Union speech in 1984, he said “preservation of our environment isn’t a liberal or conservative challenge, it’s common sense”.
Despite the fact that our two parties disagree on solutions, there is at least agreement among most elected officials that more climate action is needed. Hopefully our leaders will recognize, like with the ozone layer, this issue is too important to politicize.
The big takeaway
To boil it down, the big lesson from our success in dealing with the ozone layer is we can solve this!
What can we do?
Reading about the success of the Montreal Protocol gives me hope we’re up to the task of solving climate change. Large-scale systemic shifts are needed. The issues Americans care about are the ones that get attention and action, so the best thing we can do is to talk about it and let our leaders know we care.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.