Climate Crisis Solutions, Greenwashing, and a Post-Capitalist Future w/ Dr. Ye Tao

On this edition of Parallax Views, we are joined, courtesy of a very helpful listener's suggestion, by Dr. Ye Tao of The Rowland Institute at Harvard to discuss possible solutions to the biggest immediate threats posed by climate change and to unpack the problems of corporate greenwashing and the infinite growth model of capitalism. The nature of this conversation also leads to a discussion of the possibility, or perhaps necessity, of a post-capitalist paradigm in the future. The main focus of this conversation is a very interesting project Dr. Tao is involved in known as MEER Framework or the Mirrors for Earth's Energy Rebalancing Framework project. Said project involves the use of mirrors as a cooling mechanism to counteract the warming effects of climate change. From the MEER website:

We envision a new role for Homo sapiens: stabilizer of the natural world and replenisher of Earth's ecosystems. This new role will require:

- acknowledgement that we have transgressed the thresholds of Earth's carrying capacity;
- acceptance of Earth’s delicate and finely balanced climate system;
- deep-rooted respect for the finiteness of Earth's abiotic physical resources;
- full appreciation of our interconnectedness with other species;
- and the simultaneous emergence of efficient fabrication technologies and universal social values that are transformative.

Embracing this new role can place us on the only available path that leads to a future of hope and plenty, on this radiant blue, swirling white, planet of life.

In the course of our conversation we will discuss a number of topics including an explanation of the science behind MEER, climate justice and the Global South, the problems of "infinite growth" on a finite planet, and much, much more!