18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
Tara O'Shea believes that economic growth can be decoupled from ecological overshoot. She argues that capitalism, while currently poorly informed about environmental limits, is adept at moving capital away from risks and towards opportunities.
She highlights the need to better inform the system about environmental realities, emphasizing that decoupling economic growth from carbon emissions and deforestation from commodities production is achievable. She cites examples such as the rise of renewable energy and EU regulations on deforestation-free commodities as positive signs. O'Shea believes that as environmental risks become more material, the capitalist system will be compelled to account for them and decouple from destructive practices.
O'Shea's interest in ecosystem services stems from a desire to quantify and value the crucial services that ecosystems provide to human societies and economies. She points to the example of forests acting as natural carbon sinks, highlighting the discrepancy between our understanding of this service and its lack of recognition in our economic systems.
She sees the concept of ecosystem services as a practical approach to align economic and environmental well-being, recognizing that traditional economic models often fail to account for the true value of nature. O'Shea advocates for valuing and investing in ecosystem services, particularly in developing nations, to create a more just and sustainable development paradigm.
O'Shea's focus on forests stems from a deep-seated belief in their irreplaceable value, both for their ecological services and for future generations. She criticizes the current system that often forces developing nations to choose between economic development and environmental destruction, advocating for a justice-oriented approach to climate change.
She emphasizes the responsibility of developed nations, who have historically benefited from unsustainable practices, to support developing countries in protecting their forests and pursuing alternative development models. O'Shea believes that investing in ecosystem services, particularly in the Global South, is crucial to address the inherent justice issues embedded within the climate crisis.
O'Shea acknowledges the criticisms surrounding REDD+ but maintains that it represents a radical and important step towards valuing and incentivizing forest conservation. She argues that REDD+ has been instrumental in bringing international attention to the value of forests and establishing financial mechanisms to protect them.
"Red Plus is a really good idea that we have barely tried yet. And I really like that perspective because I think, you know, we almost don't give Red Plus enough credit for what a radical idea it is and how far we've gotten it for how, you know, for how different it is from what the status quo has been for so long."
However, she acknowledges the valid concerns around methodology, data accuracy, and equitable distribution of funds. O'Shea advocates for updating REDD+ methodologies to incorporate new technologies and ensure payments reach local communities effectively.
O'Shea sees technology, particularly satellite data and machine learning, as crucial to overcoming current limitations in measuring and valuing ecosystem services. She believes that high-resolution, frequently updated data can revolutionize our understanding of land use change and inform better decision-making.
She highlights the potential of Planet's data products to inform financial products and incentivize sustainable land management. O'Shea envisions a future where data transparency allows for more accurate carbon accounting, efficient payment distribution, and ultimately, a shift in capital flows towards ecologically sound practices. She sees great promise in the convergence of technologies like satellite imagery, AI and blockchain to address climate change and drive a more sustainable future.
Airtable