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In this series, illuminem and carbonparadox share 24 carbon paradoxes that demand our attention and discussion. Each one highlights a tension we must address to improve the way we value and protect our planet.
This paradox investigates why we tend to be more enthusiastic about unproven climate solutions rather than proven ones.
Many innovative climate technologies are still in early development and far from being deployed on large scale. Meanwhile, established solutions like solar roofs and reforestation have reliably reduced carbon emissions for decades.
Logically, you would think the focus should be on scaling up these proven methods.
Yet, paradoxically, the opposite is true. Because these established technologies are well-understood, so are their limitations and flaws. But new technologies, having yet to be tested at scale, lack a history of failure. Plus, there’s the allure of novelty—the hope that each innovation might finally be the ultimate disruptive solution to climate change.
Have you confronted this paradox? How have you dealt with it?
This article is also published on carbonparadox.org. illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
