In his TED talk “The actual cost of preventing climate breakdown,” Yuval Noah Harari discusses the economic and political implications of addressing climate change and the challenges of achieving global cooperation on this issue. Harari speaks on the fact that the cost of transitioning to sustainable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is significant, but argues that the cost of inaction would be far greater.

The significance of Harari’s talk is in the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for effective global cooperation to do so. Climate change is among the most pressing issues facing our planet and the economic and political implications of addressing this issue are significant. Harari’s talk provides an education on the economic and political challenges of addressing climate change, as well as the potential benefits of taking action.

For our class, Harari’s talk is particularly relevant as it provides an example of the intersection between science, policy, and economics in addressing environmental issues. Students can learn about the economic and political forces that drive climate change, as well as the challenges of achieving global cooperation on this issue.

Harari’s talk also highlights the importance of effective communication and public engagement in promoting sustainability initiatives. Addressing climate change requires the involvement and support of individuals and communities, and effective communication is critical to building this support. Students in an interdisciplinary environmental sustainability/journalism class can learn about the role of communication and public engagement in promoting sustainability and addressing climate change.

Harari’s talk, “The actual cost of preventing climate breakdown,” is a revealing and educational talk that has relevance for our class. The talk provides a compelling case for the urgency of addressing climate change and the economic and political challenges of doing so, as well as the potential benefits of taking action.