Data scientist Hannah Ritchie offers a hopeful perspective on environmental sustainability, suggesting that the worst of planetary damage might be nearing its peak.
Ritchie, once a doomist, now sees signs of optimism in environmental data, including improvements in air quality and electric vehicle sales.
Key developments, such as the reduction of ozone-depleting gases and tackling acid rain, demonstrate humanity's capacity for positive environmental change.
Ritchie emphasizes the role of technology in achieving sustainability, highlighting the rapid advancement and cost reduction in renewable energy sources.
Key quote:
"The science is very clear that it's never too late; the impacts of climate change are on a spectrum and where we land on that spectrum depends on what we do today."
— Hannah Ritchie, data scientist
Why this matters:
Ritchie's optimism, grounded in data, offers hope and direction, particularly in the context of health outcomes. It underscores the potential for collective action and technological innovation to create a sustainable future.
Today, researchers are finding transformative new ways to use data and computational methods - data science - to help planners, leaders and first responders tackle disasters like wildfires from afar.
