We find ourselves in the middle of a planetary crisis. Global warming is accelerating faster than expected. Temperatures are projected to exceed 1.5°C within a few years and the heatwave we experienced across Sweden and Europe this June is only the beginning. This is a serious situation, as we continue to contribute to a worsening global crisis despite clear signals from the planet.

At the same time, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The entire sustainability agenda has changed character. It’s no longer about reducing our environmental impact and ”sacrificing” ourselves on the altar of modernity. We now know that a transition to prosperity within the planet’s safe boundaries is a path towards a modern, competitive and attractive future.

If you want security, good health, independence from fossil fuels controlled byautocratic regimes and a more resilient nation and world, the sustainable path is the way forward.

Continuing down a fossil-fuel-dependent, planet-damaging path risks leading us toward a very uncertain future. The choice should be clear.

This talk is a conversation between host Messiah Hallberg and Johan Rockström,
Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. As a collaboration with Greentopia, this talk is part of the UN Sustainable Lifestyle Hub in Gothenburg, highlighting local solutions to global challenges.

WOW Talks is presented by Storytel and the talks will also be available afterwards in the Storytel app.

Listen to Too hot to ignore – Johan Rockström in conversation with Messiah Hallberg in Slottsskogen on Thursday August 13th