Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and Bjørn Lomborg are two prominent figures who have proposed a set of twelve actionable strategies to address and mitigate some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. They have coined this set of initiatives as the “Doable Dozen” or the “12 Ways the Planet Could Truly Be Saved.” These strategies aim to balance the needs of both humanity and the environment, recognizing the importance of economic development alongside environmental sustainability.
1. Develop and invest in green energy technologies: Promote research, development, and implementation of clean and sustainable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. This emphasizes the transition away from fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Focus on energy storage: Invest in technologies and infrastructure that improve the efficiency and scalability of energy storage, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply from renewable sources.
3. Implement a global carbon tax: Introduce a universal tax on carbon emissions as an economic incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The collected revenues can be directed towards investment in renewable energy and carbon capture technologies.
4. Increase climate adaptation measures: Allocate resources to adapt to the changing climate, such as building resilient infrastructure, implementing disaster preparedness plans, and protecting vulnerable coastal regions.
5. Invest in green research and development: Increase funding for research and development of green technologies, which can drive innovation, create job opportunities, and yield sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
6. Support reforestation efforts: Allocate resources to reforest areas that have experienced deforestation. This not only helps in carbon sequestration but also promotes biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.
7. Emphasize nuclear energy: Acknowledge the benefits of nuclear energy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while investing in research and development to improve safety and waste management.
8. Prioritize smart agricultural practices: Encourage sustainable farming techniques that minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, reduce water consumption, and promote soil conservation.
9. Enhance ocean conservation and sustainable fishing: Implement measures to prevent overfishing, protect marine ecosystems, and mitigate the adverse effects of pollution and climate change on ocean health.
10. Promote women’s education and family planning: Educating girls and enabling access to family planning resources can lead to reduced population growth rates, easing the strain on resources and the environment.
11. Support geoengineering research: Invest in research and development of innovative geoengineering techniques that may help reverse the impacts of climate change, such as carbon capture and storage or solar radiation management.
12. Prioritize effective poverty eradication: Alleviating poverty is crucial to environmental sustainability, as it reduces the reliance on environmentally harmful practices and fosters sustainable development.
The Doable Dozen offers a holistic approach that balances environmental concerns with practical and achievable solutions. By focusing on technological innovation, economic incentives, and international cooperation, Dr. Peterson and Bjørn Lomborg aim to empower individuals, communities, and governments to make meaningful contributions to the preservation of our planet.
