From Climate Change to Political and Personal Change: Building a Prosperous, Sustainable World

How can we protect the historic Paris climate accord that was brought into force on November 4? The hard work begins now. The Paris accord is a giant step forward, but at the same time more ambitious actions such as earlier and deeper emissions cuts are needed to create a world in which all can thrive. So, does the agreement deliver us from climate catastrophe, or is it another diplomatic disappointment? Can we build an economy powered by clean, renewable energy in time?

We’ll explore these questions with interactive simulations of the climate and economy developed by MIT and climateinteractive.org. Sterman will discuss how these tools are used by policymakers and negotiators around the world, and will report on both the UN Paris climate summit last year and the just-concluded summit in Marrakech. Yet, as important as that work is, broad public support for action around the world is essential. For complex, contentious issues such as climate change, simply showing research isn’t enough; progress only occurs when people learn for themselves. Sterman will demonstrate how interactive tools are being used by political leaders, policymakers, and members of the public around the world to build shared understanding of climate change and the task before us. Finally, we’ll discuss what each of us can do, professionally and personally, to build a safer, sustainable world in which all can thrive.