World Resources Institute Stories | Andrew Steer | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Dr. Andrew Steer presents five important stories to watch in 2016, including the momentum of the Paris climate deal, the commitments of corporations and city mayors to sustainability, the implementation of the sustainable development goals, the reduction of food loss and waste, and the actions of China and the United States on climate change.

Transcript

REBECCA MOORE: Welcome to a sure-to-be-fantastic presentation by Dr. Andrew Steer of the World Resources Institute. It's my pleasure to introduce Dr. Steer. My name's Rebecca Moore. I lead the Google Earth team, which also includes Google Earth Engine, Google Earth Outreach, and we're affectionately known internally as earthlings. My team has worke... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤝 The momentum of the Paris climate deal is crucial for the success of global sustainability efforts.
• 🏙️ The commitments of corporations and cities to sustainability are promising, but their actions and lobbying efforts need to align with their stated goals.
• ❓ Technology, such as remote sensing and data analysis, can greatly assist in measuring and addressing environmental issues.
• 😋 Reducing food loss and waste is a critical challenge that requires innovative solutions and better logistical processes.
• 🇺🇸 The actions of China and the United States on climate change will have significant impacts on global sustainability efforts.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the key challenges faced in the implementation of the sustainable development goals?

The key challenge is ensuring that modern technology is used to measure progress and support decision-making. This includes using remote sensing and data analysis to gather accurate information on various sustainability indicators.

Q: How can technology help in reducing food loss and waste?

Technology can play a vital role in addressing food loss and waste by improving logistical processes, implementing just-in-time inventories, and enabling better storage and transportation of food. Advanced analytics and remote sensing can also help in predicting harvests and identifying potential risks to food supplies.

Q: What actions can individuals take to address climate change and sustainability?

Individuals can support sustainability by making conscious choices in their everyday lives, such as reducing food waste, consuming less meat, and supporting companies and initiatives that are committed to sustainability. Engaging in discussions and advocating for change can also make a difference.

Q: What role can cities play in addressing climate change and sustainability?

Cities have a crucial role to play in addressing climate change and sustainability by adopting sustainable urban planning and designing cities around people rather than cars. This includes investing in public transportation, implementing renewable energy systems, and creating initiatives to reduce emissions and promote environmentally friendly behaviors.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The momentum of the Paris climate deal and whether countries will follow through on their commitments

• The commitments of corporations and city mayors to sustainability and whether they will continue to take action

• The implementation of the sustainable development goals and the use of technology to measure progress

• The reduction of food loss and waste and the importance of addressing this issue

• The actions of China and the United States on climate change and their impact on global sustainability efforts