TED: How sci-fi informs our climate future — and what to do next | Zainab Usman

The video discusses the challenges of fighting climate change in a fragmented world, drawing parallels with science fiction. It highlights the concentration of innovation in low carbon technologies in a few regions, the need for consumer welfare in climate tech deployment, and the importance of global standards for sourcing strategic minerals. The video concludes with a call for collective action and policy change to ensure a sustainable future.

What common theme do science fiction authors highlight regarding global threats?

• Unified global response

• Divided world unable to cooperate

• Technological advancements solving all problems

• Alien intervention saving humanity

Which three powers are central to the geo-economic blocs mentioned in the transcript?

• United States, China, and Europe

• South Africa, Mexico, and Argentina

• Russia, India, and Brazil

• Japan, Australia, and Canada

What is a major consequence of global economic fragmentation?

• Hindered ability to fight climate change

• Enhanced technological innovation

• Decreased competition among nations

• Increased global cooperation

Where is innovation around low carbon technologies primarily happening?

• Middle East, Africa, and Asia

• North America, Europe, and Asia

• Africa, South America, and Australia

• South America, Europe, and Africa

What is a potential risk of innovation being concentrated in a few regions?

• Rapid technological advancements

• Exclusion of non-allies and poorer countries

• Increased global cooperation

• Global diffusion of technology

Why is the commercialization of climate technologies important?

• To increase competition among countries

• To limit technological advancements

• For equitable global deployment at scale

• To reduce innovation costs

What could be a consequence of strict barriers to entry for firms?

• Higher competition

• Lack of competition and higher prices

• Increased consumer choice

• Improved quality of life

What are strategic minerals essential for?

• Manufacturing of clean energy hardware

• Creating non-renewable resources

• Producing fossil fuels

• Building traditional vehicles

What is a potential danger of competing for strategic minerals?

• Increased global cooperation

• Destruction of fragile ecosystems

• Abundance of resources

• Improved environmental standards

What is necessary to prevent the destruction of ecosystems in the race for resources?

• Increased competition

• Global standards

• More technological innovation

• Higher resource consumption