AGILE INNOVATION Technology can help us fight Climate Change The most cost-efficient carbon-capture technology in the world is…forests. Recent scientific research confirms that forests and other “natural climate solutions” are essential because of their carbon sequestering and storage capabilities. However, when you consider that 71% of all the man made carbon emissions are generated by just 100 fossil fuel companies, then the focus on reducing fossil fuel consumption is not misplaced. Bill Gates is of the opinion that we don’t merely need a cut in global emissions but rather an ‘energy miracle’. There are five areas where we can direct the focus of technology advancement to make that much needed energy miracle happen. Power generation: We know that nuclear power is a way of producing electricity free of carbon emissions, but the challenge is in harnessing it in ways that are truly safe and cost-effective. Nuclear Fusion seems to be the answer. Fusion produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, it’s safe, requires less land than other renewable technologies and there’s enough to power the planet for millennia to come. Transport: transport represents 23% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. But the demand for transport is only going to increase. We need much more efficient batteries and much more efficient battery-charging technology.