How quickly can humanity rewrite its future? This is the last of three micro-lectures broadcast as part of the Climate at the crossroads live lesson (see links to further videos below). 

Earth system scientist Dr Tom Powell from the University of Exeter takes us past the doom-and-gloom narrative to reveal the hidden physics of systemic change.

Dr Powell explains the peril of global climate "tipping points", comparing the destabilisation of planetary safe zones - like the Amazon or polar ice sheets - to a high-stakes game of jenga. However, he shows that the same maths that drives environmental collapse also governs human progress. By tracking the historical transition from horses to cars and the current viral rise of generative AI, Dr Powell introduces the "S-curve" of technology adoption. 

"Economies of scale" and social feedback loops are currently supercharging the global adoption of solar energy, battery storage, and electric vehicles faster than many anticipated.

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Other videos in this series

• Global carbon levels - how bad is it? by Dr Mike O’Sullivan, University of Exeter
• Coral biodiversity and climate change by Prof Peter Mumby, University of Queensland