Connect with us

Science & Technology

The Climate Crisis Is Expensive – Here’s Who Should Pay for It | Avinash Persaud | TED

The developing world is most affected by climate change but has contributed the least to the problem. Meanwhile, rich countries historically exacerbated the environmental crisis and grew wealthy as a result — but aren’t helping developing countries build climate resilience, which is now more crucial than ever to slowing climate change everywhere. Economist Avinash Persaud…

Published

on

The developing world is most affected by climate change but has contributed the least to the problem. Meanwhile, rich countries historically exacerbated the environmental crisis and grew wealthy as a result — but aren’t helping developing countries build climate resilience, which is now more crucial than ever to slowing climate change everywhere. Economist Avinash Persaud has an ambitious proposal to reimagine that dynamic: the Bridgetown Initiative, a groundbreaking vision of how rich countries can catalyze climate mitigation, contribute to loss and damages and help build a sustainable future for all.

Countdown is TED’s global initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. The goal: to build a better future by cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, in the race to a zero-carbon world. Get involved at

Learn more about #TEDCountdown:
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Website:

If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas:

Follow TED!
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:

The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

Watch more:

TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at

#TED #TEDTalks

Continue Reading
Advertisement
53 Comments

53 Comments

  1. hololok

    August 18, 2023 at 8:02 am

    😢

  2. Alias

    August 18, 2023 at 8:05 am

    Our 800+ military bases around the world couldn’t have anything to do with it.

  3. David Boson

    August 18, 2023 at 8:16 am

    Which or what climate crisis? Adapt, or die – the climate is always changing, the only difference this time is we humans are speeding up to evolution from snow ball to hot. Start figuring out how your family will survive the extremes. Stop worrying about who to blame. Unless your a Lawyer and then you can spend all your time blaming and sueing someone else.

  4. Dana Lissy

    August 18, 2023 at 8:17 am

    Those who are so keen to point the finger on Western countries for the climate change, are they as keen to point the finger on China for the COVID extensive consequences on the whole world ?

  5. Nurse G

    August 18, 2023 at 8:21 am

    Climate change has been a hoax over 100 years with doomsdays that never happen. Look it up.

  6. SFjarhead

    August 18, 2023 at 8:27 am

    World Bank shill

  7. Mark Talks

    August 18, 2023 at 8:31 am

    This is the common, idealistic, “someone else should pay for it” solution that doesn’t work in the real world.

    Funnelling money through governments is the single most inefficient way to do things and completely ignores the fact that local officials will pocket these funds for their own self interest.

    By disincentivising coal/LNG through taxation you will make all energy more expensive for EXACTLY the people you think you’re trying to save.

    Petrol generators are commonplace in natural disasters and help keep people’s electricity running.

    Huge loans will artificially inject funds in the economy, increasing the money supply in the economy resulting in prices to spike. This will simply inflate energy prices and kick the can down the road further.

    Rich people can handle a price hike, the poor can’t.

    By all means, take out loans to help the immediate consequences of natural disasters, but the economy needs to be freed up and incentives need to be provided to promote private foreign investment so people can build and work towards being able to choose renewable energy, thus driving costs down.

    • Julia Henriques

      August 18, 2023 at 10:22 am

      Private foreign investment was precisely what got us here in the first place. Governments, however bad, are held slightly accountable at ellections. The private sector can just literally make a run for its money.

  8. Mark Talks

    August 18, 2023 at 8:31 am

    This is the common, idealistic, “someone else should pay for it” solution that doesn’t work in the real world.

    Funnelling money through governments is the single most inefficient way to do things and completely ignores the fact that local officials will pocket these funds for their own self interest.

    By disincentivising coal/LNG through taxation you will make all energy more expensive for EXACTLY the people you think you’re trying to save.

    Petrol generators are commonplace in natural disasters and help keep people’s electricity running.

    Huge loans will artificially inject funds in the economy, increasing the money supply, causing prices to spike. This will simply inflate energy prices and kick the can down the road further.

    Rich people can handle a price hike, the poor can’t.

    By all means, take out loans to help the immediate consequences of natural disasters, but the economy needs to be freed up and incentives need to be provided to promote private foreign investment so people can build and work towards being able to choose renewable energy, thus driving costs down.

    • Brandon Abernathy

      August 18, 2023 at 10:21 pm

      ​@Julia Henriquesthis couldn’t be more wrong. Governments are completely unaccountable and the private sector, what isn’t in bed with the government, is wholly accountable. This isn’t even debatable.

    • Mark Talks

      August 19, 2023 at 2:47 am

      @Julia Henriques governments are not accountable when money disappears.

  9. Bamrow

    August 18, 2023 at 8:37 am

    Rich ppl lost control of everything. A lot of ppl will die and noone is going to pay anything for that.
    The only justice that exist is our system of justice. When our civilization collapses there will be no justice again. You can say thanks to the fossil industry

  10. Il Biondo

    August 18, 2023 at 8:47 am

    Unfortunately save ourselves is not cost effective

  11. George Davidson

    August 18, 2023 at 8:57 am

    There is no climate emergency. Statistically there is no more natural disasters

  12. Piku☆🌱

    August 18, 2023 at 9:28 am

    The bourgeoisie need to answer for their crimes. The proletariat shouldn’t pay the price.

  13. DD PWE

    August 18, 2023 at 9:39 am

    Great presentation! Now, if only we could implement these things with the richer countries so we can finally start doing stuff that WILL affect the climate problem! As Avi said, all that’s being done at the moment is talk, talk, talk and point fingers. Let’s get this going!!!

  14. antonioas709

    August 18, 2023 at 10:28 am

    Bill gates should pay for it

  15. Paul A DAigle

    August 18, 2023 at 12:20 pm

    He lost me at “loans”.

  16. ronold cross

    August 18, 2023 at 12:27 pm

    Those responsible must pay, not the victims.

  17. Sylvain Duford

    August 18, 2023 at 12:28 pm

    Another one who says “nucular”. Don’t know why but that makes me cringe every time. Otherwise, good presentation.

  18. ronold cross

    August 18, 2023 at 12:35 pm

    The super rich. 0001% with their boats yachts, mansions, must take some financial responsibility.

  19. Goetwil

    August 18, 2023 at 1:03 pm

    May God Be Always with You Sir…🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
    It has been a long long long time ago…, “The Power” of ” The Fosil Kingdoms” & their Monet… are much stronger…🙏🙏🙏

  20. Alex

    August 18, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    Yah, nice narrative my dude. My 1.6 diesel horrendous Honda is for SURE the issue here

  21. Alex

    August 18, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    Yah, nice narrative my dude. My 1.6 horrendous Honda diesel is for SURE the issue here

  22. Benjamimic

    August 18, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    It’s too bad the United Nations Climate Change Conference is primarily run by oil states w/ heavy agenda’s to slow down any progress towards a green future. Might be time to take a book from the French and remove the corruption from the top..

  23. maikel0245

    August 18, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    Solution? Tax, tax tax. Cui bono? Wealth transfer scam. Not a new game plan. BTW there is no climate crisis.

  24. Aiden Knight

    August 18, 2023 at 5:49 pm

    I think all the enormous oil companies who’ve spearheaded this crisis should pay their fair share. The people who can AFFORD to pay for this should pay.

    • B Cascadas Crane

      August 19, 2023 at 11:40 pm

      Did you see Al Gore ? He made it all plan as your nose… Great Lecture.

  25. Ted Chai

    August 18, 2023 at 8:51 pm

    Key Points, by Sonnet AI:
    3:07: Dominica declares its goal to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation and invites global experts to help with the rebuilding process.
    3:36: The Bridgetown Initiative emphasizes the urgent need for developing countries to take action in halting climate change and highlights the responsibility of rich countries in causing global warming.
    4:37: Developing countries now contribute the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, making their green transformation essential in avoiding planetary destabilization.
    5:21: Rich countries should not expect developing countries to bear the burden of emissions reduction, as they are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
    6:55: Investing in renewable energies instead of bonds could have a significant economic impact and help halt climate change.
    8:26: New sources of public finance are needed, including emission taxes and a financial transaction tax.
    9:20: International development banks should lend more on Sustainable Development Goals and rich countries should provide additional capital.
    10:18: Investments in renewable energy in developing countries can be encouraged by an international agency that lowers the cost of guaranteeing returns against currency fluctuations, and implementing Barbados-style pause clauses in debt instruments can release billions of dollars and reshape the financial system.

  26. Benno Bassosaurus

    August 18, 2023 at 10:35 pm

    Propaganda talks

  27. Billy The Kid

    August 19, 2023 at 5:12 am

    When he said “I was on a U.N relief plane the next day” he lost me, the U.N hates people. The U.N hates Nation States, it hates people who support regional cultures and national identity. There is no such thing as “Green’ energy. There is no “Climate Crisis”, there has been no increase in droughts, floods hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, or heat waves. The climate changes, you can’t fight that. CO2 is good, fertilizer is good, and depriving developing nations of cheap fossil fuels, hurts the planet and its people. This guy is a snake oil salesman. Talking about any extra tax, wind and solar as viable energy sources, proves this.

  28. Rudra Pratap Singh

    August 19, 2023 at 12:31 pm

    Now it’s time that Governments really need to come together while taking combined systematic actions to combat climate change.

    • B Cascadas Crane

      August 19, 2023 at 11:31 pm

      The first attempts are called The Paris Agreement. Much work to get everyone on the same page.

  29. Craig McDonald

    August 19, 2023 at 5:20 pm

    FYI, in 2022, 23% of power produced in US was from solar, wind and hydro. Just 30 years earlier in 1992 it was 44%. Things are getting better.

    if we don’t value something enough we over-consume it, says the ‘chubby man’ on stage. He was chock full of audience grabbing cliches so I have to poke fun of him. some things he said which are triggering……the rich caused global warming. energy consumption is slanted towards the rich. the rich should pay more………..

    I make $35,000/year in USA which is $20,000 less than average in the USA, but 35 times more than the average Indian or Honduran. In the USA I’m poor. In Honduras and India I’m rich. Should I pay for my energy sins by giving money to India and Honduras?

    • Tobin Miller

      August 19, 2023 at 9:27 pm

      It is true that the US is obtaining a larger portion of its electricity from renewables, but the US is the largest historical emitter of CO2, followed by the European nations. CO2 persists in the atmosphere for several hundred years on average. In short, the US and Europe are largely responsible for the climate crisis. The US is also fairly high on the list of current per capita emitters–seventh, I believe. The COP negotiators all know these things, and the developed nations have already agreed to pay 100 billion dollars per year for loss/damage suffered by developing nations. Because politicians and their supporters in developed nations have refused to impose a price on carbon emissions to pay the “external costs” (loss and damage, transitioning to renewables), everybody will pay regardless of how much they contributed to the problem.

    • μιχαλης χριστογιαννοπουλος

      August 20, 2023 at 6:48 am

      @Tobin Miller You say Eu but Eu means ALL EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERS over 28 countries for 1

    • Tobin Miller

      August 20, 2023 at 8:02 am

      @μιχαλης χριστογιαννοπουλος I didn’t use the term “European Union” or “EU” in my post.

  30. Tobin Miller

    August 19, 2023 at 9:13 pm

    The presenter failed to make a few important distinctions. First, he did not clearly establish that the US and European countries are by far the largest historical emitters of GHGs. We would not be experiencing a climate crisis if it hadn’t been for those historical emissions. This is important to establish moral and financial liability. Under commonly accepted legal and moral principles, if you do something that harms others, you pay to make those others whole. Moreover, developed nations are still very high on the list of current per capita emitters.

    Second, the presenter did not clearly distinguish the two basic types of costs: loss/damage and the costs of transitioning to renewable sources of energy. The developed nations have agreed to pay 100 billion dollars per year to help cover loss/damage, but those nations are largely ignoring this obligation–they are violating the agreement. In my opinion, the developed countries should also fund to a large extent the costs of developing countries shifting to renewable sources of energy. I base this on the basic and widely accepted moral principle embodied in the statement, “you break it, you bought it.” Developed nations have no moral standing to impose costs on developing countries to help repair a problem the developed nations caused and are currently making worse.

    If the developed countries continue to neglect their obligation to pay, the Paris Agreement is in grave danger of collapsing. The issue of loss/damage almost scuttled the agreement in Glasgow. The developing countries have succeeded in bringing these issues to the forefront of COP negotiations, and they’re not going away.

    • B Cascadas Crane

      August 19, 2023 at 11:53 pm

      BIG OIL are responsible first for covering it up for decades that this was happening. Just ask Jimmy Carter . He tried to warn us, even if he thought 3 mile island was safe after the meltdown. We the people can’t carry the years it is going to take to heal this planet. BIG OIL MUST STOP AND BARE SOME HEAVY WEIGHT. No joke. Listen to Al Gore he is calling them out. That he didn’t win was because he was learning about who has the power. In a capitalist system it is whatever brings in the most is for sale. No profit does not function. The switch is broken. We can get people all focused on This Is Our Challenge . It may not be finished when this person and her body depart. I hope it is well started. I already went through all the battles going on for our personal respect, i.e. Who and what are you? Who do you represent? We are being called on As A Nation by this planet to Stop what we have allowed to happen. We made the mess and a few greedy sobs lied . NOW WE KNOW BETTER as a nation we can see and hear. Then Act., history has proven it. Make sure to read about it at your local library. Which I support and share with often.

    • PyroDrew

      August 20, 2023 at 5:53 pm

      The presenter also failed to mention that China and the UN still claim China is a “developing nation” (as if it’s still 1992 when it was given that status) despite it now being the world’s 2nd largest economy and being projected to surpass even the US.

    • Tobin Miller

      August 20, 2023 at 6:31 pm

      @PyroDrew This seems like a nonissue. China’s per capita emissions are lower than many developed nations, it is shifting to renewables faster than the US, and I’m not sure it is claiming financial assistance for loss and damage. True, it has pledged to reach “net zero” ten years later than the developed nations, but given its rapid shift to renewables, it may reach that goal sooner.

    • PyroDrew

      August 20, 2023 at 8:21 pm

      @Tobin Miller First, if it’s a non-issue then China should have no issue with not being considered a developing country as if it was on par with Bolivia and Congo. As a “developing country”, China has received nearly $1.5 billion dollars in aid through a multinational fund under the Montreal Protocol.

      Second, the Earth doesn’t care about per capita emissions only total emissions and projected future total emissions has China being the main cause of increase in the future which is far more clear in a graph than a large accounting sheet of numbers. Worse focusing on only per capita emissions promotes wealth/income inequality in nations so the rich and wealthy corporations and corporate government officials will be even more motivated to exasperate wealth inequality to excuse high emissions for the elites. China’s income inequality not only surpasses that of the United States by a large margin but also ranks among the highest in the world.

      Finally, a quick Google search shows China is not above constant false emissions reporting with numerous various reports over the years on the subject. Hong Kong knows just because China says something doesn’t mean it’s true.

  31. B Cascadas Crane

    August 19, 2023 at 11:25 pm

    I learn so much from TED talks. I want Biden to listen to Al Gore and Avinash Persaud. I have been crying out to Stop BIG OIL for at least the last 23 years, folks. Jane Fonda has the money and has started another movement To call out emergencies for the planet by Joe. I say keep him in the office , then the big moves can happen. He has done so much now that he surpassed all previous men in the big seat to help our nation and the world of nations. I quit driving trucks and vans all over our nation in 2005. I am reluctant to ride in transport that is not at least public transport.This is done over half time in a manual wheelchair. ( 40 years time span) I am really happy about the new cars and charging stations. The prices gotta come down to get one in every household . Which gives plenty of time to get all the chargers up and working. Vote Blue💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

  32. Steve Weiss

    August 20, 2023 at 1:42 am

    We need more fossil fuels, not less. Lots more because the need for cheap and reliable energy is growing and needs to grow a lot more.

  33. Jolly Abias

    August 20, 2023 at 5:31 am

    I think your clue is the Philippines

  34. Hitz

    August 20, 2023 at 7:14 am

    This is a ridiculous supposition of cause and effect. Rich countries get hit by just as many natural disasters as poor, we are just far better equipped the handle them by our innate productive and long term planning mindset. When was the last time someone sent (meaningful) aid to the US? I certainly can’t remember it. It is not the fault of the rich countries that the other countries can’t get their act together. This guy probably flew first class then got driven to this talk, meanwhile he will go home to his likely large house that consumes enough energy for 100 households. Rich climate alarmists do this all the time – it’s simply a scam to take your money, until they actually do something that affects them personally.

  35. Dan Reiki

    August 20, 2023 at 10:17 am

    Does anyone remember a popular song by Rush. The Trees. . . The last line. . . Hatchett Axe and Saw. . . That song comes to mind. Give it a listen

  36. Mr Privacy

    August 21, 2023 at 10:05 am

    The world isn’t burning. The only way you can make resilience is by moving everything underground. You could place the entry, say, in the antarctic…

  37. Mr Privacy

    August 21, 2023 at 10:10 am

    Solar farms and wind turbines have a finite functional life. How will you renew them and recycle them? Oh hang on, that’s an implementation problem, you’re an ideas man…

  38. PUEO HOOT

    August 21, 2023 at 12:44 pm

    It’s all malarkey, hobcough, they speak about a future like we have time to find a solution… THE WORLD IS NOT WAITING FOR ANY ONE SPECIES TO TAKE THE HELM, Mommas got her own plans for how things are guna go from her on

  39. CSEP - Inspiring Keynote Speakers

    August 22, 2023 at 12:03 am

    We should totally get behind these ideas and start making a difference for our planet. Avi is right – we need to stop all the talking and blaming and actually do something!

  40. Moiz Esufally

    August 23, 2023 at 2:42 am

    walk the talk instead of walking the gob.. practice what your preach machan

  41. Theodore Sweger

    August 23, 2023 at 2:14 pm

    We know who should but the question is who will if anyone..???

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CNET

Meta Ray-Bans Real Time Live AI and Translation Demo

Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses just rolled out their Live AI and real-time live translation features for early access program members. We take a look at how the features work with Editor-at-Large Scott Stein. #metaraybans #metaai #smartglasses

Published

on

Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses just rolled out their Live AI and real-time live translation features for early access program members. We take a look at how the features work with Editor-at-Large Scott Stein. #metaraybans #metaai #smartglasses

Continue Reading

CNET

I Took a Nap on Demand, Thanks to a $349 Headband

The Elemind headband reads your brain waves and responds accordingly with acoustic stimulation to help you fall asleep faster. Here’s what happened when our Managing Wellness Editor tried it. #sleeptech #elemind #sleep #hometech Subscribe to CNET on YouTube: Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉 Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront: Follow us…

Published

on

The Elemind headband reads your brain waves and responds accordingly with acoustic stimulation to help you fall asleep faster. Here’s what happened when our Managing Wellness Editor tried it. #sleeptech #elemind #sleep #hometech

Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on X:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Visit CNET.com:

Continue Reading

CNET

CASETiFY’s Travel Suitcase Unboxing

Travel in FASHUN! Unbox CASETiFY’s travel suitcase and its matching phone case with us. #travel #suitcase #casetify #unboxing

Published

on

Travel in FASHUN! Unbox CASETiFY’s travel suitcase and its matching phone case with us. #travel #suitcase #casetify #unboxing

Continue Reading

Trending