Paul Behrens | Futures from the frontiers of climate science

Dr Paul Behrens was one of the first to measure the enormous climate benefits of shifting towards plant-rich diets.

In his 15 November keynote at the Frontiers Forum, Paul explored how a Great Food Transition and other radical transformations can avert the climate crisis and steer humanity toward a hopeful, healthier future.

Paul's talk was followed by a discussion with high-level policy and climate science experts, on how to accelerate the necessary systems changes to keep global warming below the critical threshold of 1.5°C:

• Prof Emily Shuckburgh | Director of Cambridge Zero, University of Cambridge, UK
• Prof Nick Chater | Behavioral science expert | University of Warwick, UK
• Prof Peter Newell | Research Director at the Rapid Transition Alliance | University of Sussex, UK

Paul’s pioneering analysis of the impact of dietary change on global emissions made headline news and won him the title of 2023 Frontiers Planet Prize International Champion. An expert in energy, food, and economic systems, he is also passionate about communicating science – with work appearing in The New York Times, Scientific American, and on the BBC. His popular science book, The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Futures from the Frontiers of Climate Science, describes humanity’s current trajectory and possible futures in paired chapters of pessimism and hope. Paul is Associate Professor of Environmental Change at Leiden University, the Netherlands.

INTRODUCTION
00:00:00 Opening
00:00:25 Welcome & introduction | Fred Fenter - Chief Executive Editor, Frontiers

MAIN TALK
00:01:25 Start of keynote presentation | Paul Behrens
00:02:35 Systemic underestimation of the impacts of climate change | Paul Behrens
00:09:20 The need for rapid transitions in food and energy | Paul Behrens
00:10:06 The energy transition | Paul Behrens
00:14:26 The food transition | Paul Behrens
00:17:33 Why aren't these transitions happening faster? Paul Behrens
00:22:32 Good feedbacks | Paul Behrens
00:23:22 What can individuals do? | Paul Behrens
00:25:11 Communication at this unique time in history | Paul Behrens

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
00:27:41 A framework to support rapid transitions - radical collaboration | Emily Shuckburgh
00:35:12 Transforming politics for just transitions | Peter Newell
00:46:52 Building a coalition of support for rapid transition measures | Nick Chater

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
00:54:27 Question and Answer session | Facilitated by Gilbert De Gregorio - Head of Partnerships, Frontiers Planet Prize

CONCLUDING REMARKS
01:04:11 Concluding Remarks | Fred Fenter