Lecture on Climate Change by Leonardo DiCaprio

Visual Memory

• First memory: Framed poster above the crib - Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch.
• Father was an underground comic distributor, involved in counterculture.
• Painting story:
  • Panel 1: Adam and Eve in Garden of Eden.
  • Panel 2: Deadly sins, overpopulation, debauchery.
  • Panel 3: Twisted, decayed, burnt landscape, climate effects.

Climate Change Concerns

• Industrial Revolution Impact: Emission of CO2, greenhouse effect detected.
• Rising Temperatures Over Years: Hottest years from 2012 onwards.

Role as UN Messenger of Peace

• Honored to be chosen, wants to learn and act on climate change.
• Actor vs. Reality: Pretend for a living; climate change isn't fictitious.

Public Perception and Skepticism

• Difficulty in engaging people on climate change conversation.
• Public demonstrations (NYC) and skepticism faced.

Industrial Revolution and Environment

• New Film Setting: Western US, early 1800s - dawn of Industrial Revolution.
• Destruction of natural world, species wiped out.

Personal Background

• Grew up in LA, fascinated with extinct species at Natural History Museum.
• Impact of explorers on species and ecosystems.

Fossil Fuels Dependency

• Economy relies on coal, oil, natural gas.
• Extreme Methods: Mountaintop removal, fracking, offshore drilling, tar sands.

Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels

• Logging, clear-cutting boreal forests, tar sands extraction.
• Devastating impact on wildlife and native communities.

Emerging Knowledge of Climate Change

• Early awareness with Al Gore - global warming, CO2 emissions, extreme weather patterns.
• First-Hand Experiences: Arctic ice melt, climate change evidences.

Arctic Exploration

• Baffin Island: Observations of ice decrease, impact on polar bears and narwhals.
• Predictions of ice-free Arctic summers by 2040.

Impacts on Global Weather Patterns

• Arctic as the air-conditioning for the northern hemisphere.
• Melting ice changing currents, enhancing catastrophic events.

Past Climate Change Awareness Efforts

• 1990s: Earth Day, President interviews, focus on individual actions (e.g., light bulbs).
• Present Day Realizations: Need for systemic changes beyond individual actions.

Greenland Ice Melt and Sea Level Rise

• Extensive ice melt over years, rising sea levels threatening coastal cities.

Political and Public Opposition

• Examples of political opponents (e.g., Marco Rubio), funding from fossil fuel industries.
• Skepticism influenced by politics, fossil fuel lobbying.

Climate Change Denial Tactics

• Disinformation campaigns by fossil fuel interests.
• Fred Singer: Example of misinformation spread.
• Koch Brothers' influence via front groups.

Legislative Challenges

• Political influence of fossil fuel contributions, preventing climate legislation.
• Inhofe and significant fossil fuel funding.

Global Perspectives and Responses

• China: Major polluter, industrial growth vs. environmental health.
• India: Energy access challenges, coal vs. renewables, developmental priorities.

Development vs. Climate Action

• Energy Consumption Comparison: US consumption vs. global standards.
• Lifestyle and consumption impacts on climate negotiations.

Solutions and Innovations

• Technological Improvements: Renewable energy investment in China, other countries.
• Potential for solar and wind to replace fossil fuels.
• Rural Electrification: Potential of solar & battery solutions for developing nations.

Industry and Policy Shifts

• Tesla's Giga Factory: Vision to lower battery costs, promote renewable energy.
• Importance of carbon tax to shift consumer behavior towards sustainable choices.

Environmental and Economic Impacts

• Droughts, food insecurity, fishery declines related to climate change.
• Deforestation for Agriculture: Forest fires, palm oil plantations, habitat destruction.

Personal Actions and Public Awareness

• Effects of individual diet choices on carbon footprint.
• Encouragement to reduce beef consumption due to large environmental impact.

Climate Predictions and Realities

• Experts predict continuous warming, reaching critical tipping points.
• Greenland ice melting leading to higher sea levels and potential habitable land losses.

Paris Climate Agreement

• 2015 Paris Summit: Landmark agreement to limit global warming.
• Mixed perceptions on its effectiveness and long-term impact.

Global Leadership and Future Prospects

• President Obama's vision on global climate action and the Paris Agreement.
• Importance of continued public and political pressure for climate solutions.

Actionable Steps for Individuals

• Changes in personal consumption (diet, energy use) and political engagement.
• Education and spreading awareness about the reality and solutions for climate change.