Issue 152: There is No One Answer to Climate Change
Welcome to Backstory, a weekly newsletter turning global technology shifts into a three-minute read. This week, we’re thinking about COP28 in the UAE. – Mary Ames, Director of Strategy
THE BIG TAKE
There is No One Answer to Climate Change
After years of planning, COP28 is set to kick off in the UAE next month. Over the next four editions of Backstory, we will survey the major themes and challenges facing COP and consider ways the UAE is stepping up to the challenge of climate change. The UAE’s investment in building a knowledge economy over the decades has been designed to accelerate innovative solutions to the pressing challenges facing global society. When it comes to a multifaceted problem like climate change, the UAE’s approach is needed to come at the problem from many different angles.
Keeping all options open. Given the UAE’s position as a major producer of hydrocarbons, there has been intense focus in the media regarding oil producers and climate change. While this is an important point of discussion, it overshadows the larger goal of holding the world to COP’s promise of limiting global temperatures to no higher than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President-designate and UAE special envoy on climate change, said that "our comprehensive and holistic plan for Cop28 is to be centered around one thing, and that is the North Star. "
Innovation for good. The 1.5° target is a siren’s call for innovation. Local talent and ideas will be on display throughout the conference with fresh ideas of how global society can reach this elusive target. From electric bike startups focused on emerging markets to larger scale plans for renewable energy transitions worldwide. The UAE is ready to meet the challenge of COP28 and the global Race to Zero emissions. Since there is no one way to solve these challenges, the UAE is really to come at it from all angles. This is the theme we will explore over the coming weeks.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We’re driving faster and faster into the future, trying to steer by using only the rear-view mirror.”
– Marshall McLuhan, Media critic
CHART OF THE WEEK
This week, we are thinking about trade flows. Mexico has replaced China as America’s largest trade partner. What does this mean for the future of US-China relations?
OUR VIEWS THIS WEEK
Brand Storytelling for Women in Tech. Earlier this week, Our Director of Strategy, Mary Ames, took center stage at the Women-In-Tech Startup Program in collaboration with DIFC Fintech Hive. A video of the live-stream of the session is now live on our website. Mary shared her insights on the art of brand storytelling, turning passion into purpose, and the tools for creative impact for tech-savvy women entrepreneurs.
Digital well-being: It's time to get serious about well-being. Let’s face it: the world is still a wild place. The pandemic remains an ever-present threat. The global economy is up and down. Complicating matters is that we have never been more addicted to scrolling on our phones. Getting off one’s phone is much easier said than done, but even thirty minutes daily can make a big difference in one’s mental health. This is especially true if that screen time break happens before bed. We explore more tips and tricks in this piece published by Xische about digital health.
SPOTTED ELSEWHERE
The race for DNA. The Covid-19 pandemic ushered in a new era of gene research. In particular, China has rushed to collect as many DNA samples as possible. In a deeply researched piece, the Washington Post details how the world’s superpowers are secretly battling over biotechnology research. China has announced plans to become the world’s leader in biotechnology by 2035, and it regards genetic information — sometimes called “the new gold” — as a crucial ingredient in a scientific revolution that could produce thousands of new drugs and cures. This is one story that we should all be watching closely.
What is road ecology? Thescience of how roads and cars have reshaped nature, known as road ecology, is emerging as a vital field in climate change research. How we build roads, the materials we use, and where roads are constructed impacts ecosystems and animal lives. As part of its Future Perfect series, Vox looks at how roads have caused damage to fragile animal ecosystems across North America. One way we can prevent this damage is to reconsider where we built roads.
QUICK HITS
New works for the dictionary.
We are all internet lurkers now.
The fake news about fake news.
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